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Presented to 

The Library of Congress, 

May, 1940, 


ICO copies of this book were 
privately published for personal 
distribution only; it is now 
very scarce. 

printed and bound by 
The Hippie printing Company, 
Pierre, So. Dak., 


September 23, 1923. 


















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Biographical Sketches 

O f 

THE WOOD 
FAMILIES 

... /by 

J. S. F. WOOD 

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THE AUTHOR AT 83 






DEDICATION 

As the only living member of my father’s 
family, and as the last tribute of my love and 
affection, in my eighty-thirdlyear, I now dedi¬ 
cate this little booh to the memory of my dear 
parents who passed to their u House not made 
ivitli hands, eternal in the heavens ” fifty-five 
years ago; and to my dear wife who has been 
my faithful companion fifty-five years; to 
William J. Wood, my only living child and to 
my dear kindred to whom my heart ever 
clings. 

—J. 8. F. WOOD 



"This - 




PREFACE 

After repeated requests from my kindred, 
I have consented to put into convenient form 
some items which may interest those of the 
Wood family who would like to know more 
about their ancestors. 

This, however, is not intended for a gen¬ 
eral history of the Wood family, either in 
England or America. It is a brief sketch of 
that branch of the family of which I happen 
to be a member. 

For the benefit of those who wish a more 

general knowledge of the family in America, 

I would refer them to a history of the Wood 

«/ 

family bv James W. Wood of Lurav, Va., to 
whom I am indebted for some of the informa¬ 
tion given in the first part of this book. 



THE WOOD FAMILY 


5 


CHAPTER I. 

THINGS IN GENERAL 

Probably about A. D. 1750, William Wood and three sons 
came from England and settled in Virginia. 

The names of the sons were Nehemiah, Asa and James. 

Asa settled in Stafford County, James in Frederick 
County. James laid out the town of Winchester, and at one 
time was governer of Va. His grandson, John Wood was 
the first governer of Ill. A fine monument marks his resting 
place at Quincy, Ill. 

Nehemiah settled in the beautiful and fertile Shenandoah 
Valley in what is now Page County, of which Luray is county 
seat. 

The three brothers contributed much in building up 
and peopling that part of the state, and now we find their 
descendants almost every where we go. They have occupied 
many positions of trust and honor from governor down. 

In the Civil War, they like many other families were 
divided. Probably a majority of those remaining in Va. 
supported the Southern cause, and many fell in its defence. 

On the other side many were just as zealous for the union 
and just as ready to die in its defence. Many of them were 
officers in different ranks. 

James W. Wood, in his history of the Wood families, re¬ 
lates an incident of the Civil War which thru his kindness, 
I am permitted to copy. He says, “Vincent Wood, brother of 
Jesse, married Polly Thorpe. By this union there was a 
large family of children. His sons John and William were 
living in West Va. when the war broke out, and they entered 
the Union army, while their father and another son (James) 
were in the Confederate army. 

“The family lived in Rileyville during the war, and one 
night while the federal army was passing thru this valley 
they all met under the old family roof. After discussing the 
war and its probable result, they all returned to their several 
commands. In the battle of McDowell West Va., they were 
all engaged.” 


6 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


About thirty years ago, I met an old man in Maryville, 
Mo. who said he was a grandson of one of the three brothers 
who came from England. I cannot recall which. 

He said his father left Va. and moved north, and while 
there their buildings were all destroyed by fire, and all the 
old family records were lost. If we now had those records to 
refer to, we would probably know much more of our ancestry. 

I have not been able to make connection with any of 
the family in England. Tradition says the family was numer¬ 
ous, influential and very wealthy: that there is a large estate 
in England for the Wood heirs, but we were never able to 
trace connections. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


7 


CHAPTER II. 

THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY 

Before taking up the lineal descendants of our family, 
I think it will be in order here to say a few words about the 
Shenandoah Valley. 

This is the place where Nehemiah Wood located on com¬ 
ing from England. 

Here he raised his family, and here he was buried. He 
displayed judgment in selecting a location for his home and 
a home for his children. 

The Shenandoah is one of the most beautiful and inviting 
valleys in Va. Nestled down among the mountains, at the 
base of the picturesque Blue Ridge, its rich soil and pure 
waters makes it a place in which to enjoy life. Here our 
fathers and mothers raised their families, bearing the burdens 
and inconveniences of pioneer life. 

The beautiful Shenandoah River flows thru this valley. 
The early settlers used its waters for transporting their 
farm products to market. For this purpose they built large 
flat boats capable of carrying several tons. These boats had 
a large oar at each end, by which they were guided. 

In most places the current carried the boat as fast as 
they desired to go, and some places faster, where there was 
danger of striking rocks or sand banks. 

There were places however where the boats would scarce¬ 
ly move. To remedy this, they used side oars and long poles 
—the poles were for shallow waters. They were made 
with an iron spike at one end, and to fit the shoulder at the 
other end. It took two men to run a boat. When necessary 
to use the poles, each man would go to the front end of the 
boat and put the spike end of his pole on the ground, and the 
other against his shoulder, with his face toward the stern 
and begin to push. This would send the boat forward, and 
was repeated till better water was reached. 

I remember a story told of one of the Wood boys who 
was pushing with his pole when it slipped, and he went head 
first into the water. As soon as his head popped up, he said, 


8 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


“By jinks I missed him”. He wanted his companion to be¬ 
lieve he had jumped after a big fish. 

Some boatmen would carry bugles and French horns 
and at night while the boats were floating on the still waters 
they would furnish entertainment for those living near 
the river. 

As my father’s house stood on a rise overlooking the 
river, I saw much of the boating business. These are some 
of a boys recollections for I was but a boy when we left Va. 
I was old enough, however to gather chestnuts, chinkapins. 
In the abandoned fields we gathered blackberries, huckle 
berries, dew berries and sweet cherries. From the rivers 
we took fish and ells. 0 my; surely this is a boys heaven. 
Turn him loose and let him grow. 

At first all the territory now occupied by Shenandoah 
and Page Counties was in one county, called Shenandoah and 
later was divided into two counties. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


9 


CHAPTER III. 

NEHEMIAH AND HIS SONS 

Nehemiah, the ancestor of our branch of the Wood 
family located near where Rileyville now stands,—possibly 
eight or ten miles from Luray, the county seat of Page Coun¬ 
ty. 

He had four sons,—Benjamin, John, Joshua and David. 
David never married. He died at the age of 60 and was 
buried on his father’s estate. 

The other three brothers owned large bodies of land 
in the Shenandoah valley. 

James W. Wood, in his history says, “Benjamin, Joshua 
and John Wood owned almost the entire northern end of 
the county”. There are 97 deeds conveying land to and from 
the Wood family on the records at Woodstock, Shenandoah 
county, and 235 on record at Luray, Page county. 

In 1818 Joshua built the first brick house in that part 
of the county, and probably the first one in the county. It 
contained much carved work, all done by hand. The roof was 
shingled with the best yellowpine shaved shingles which were 
still doing good service 85 years later. In those days they 
were considered wealthy. 

Here they lived and died, and from them sprang a great 
multitude, scattered possibly in every state of the union. 


10 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


CHAPTER IV. 

BENJAMIN WOOD AND HIS FAMILY 

Benjamin, son of Nehemiah Wood had a magnificent 
home near where Rileyville now stands. Following the old 
English custom of giving names to their homes, he called his 
home Cedar Point. This place was honored by the first 
post office in that locality being named Cedar Point. 

Later a village called Rileyville was established there and 
the name of the post office changed to Rileyville. 

Benjamin was a devoted member of the Old School 
Baptist faith, and when a church was organized at Big 
Springs in that locality, he and his wife Sarah (Sallie) were 
charter members. He was chosen clerk and acted in that 
capacity until his death. 

Many of his descendants followed his example, and are 
devoted Christians and many of them are Missionary Baptists. 
However, the name “Missionary” is now left off and this 
large and influential body is known as “Baptist”. 

Many of the Wood family have been preachers, two of 
which are of my father’s family. 

I should say the old church at Big Springs organized in 
1824 is still at work. 

I am indebted to Mrs. Mildred Schlosser for the informa¬ 
tion that Benjamin Wood my grandfather, served faithfully 
and honorably, three years in the revolutionary war. His 
army papers are on record at Richmond Va. After a long 
and useful life, he passed to his Heavenly Home A. D. 1829. 

He was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Fallis, 
married February 12, 1791 (I notice in James W. Wood’s 
history her name is spelled “Follice”, and in the “Brumback 
Families” by G. M. Brumback “Follis”. The name has come 
down in our branch of the families—Fallis. My father was 
named for his mother’s people, William Fallis, and I have the 
same name. Also several persons, but I do not know how 
the original name was spelled). 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


11 


Since writing the above I have had the Page County Va. 
record examined and find my grandmother’s name was spelled 
Fallis. 

To this union five children were born, Hadad, Harrison, 
David, William F. and Nancy. Of these five I shall trace 
the lineal descendants of but one, William F., who is my 
father. 

For the benefit of those who want to follow the other 
families, I refer them to James W. Wood’s book which can 
be had for twenty five cents per copy, Luray, Va. He had 
lost track of William F., who had left that country and moved 
west. 

I have just received a letter from C. M. Keyser, who 
lived there all his life, and is now about ninety years old. He 
says he was well acquainted with my father and his brothers 
and sister, and they were prominent citizens in that country. 



» 


12 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


CHAPTER V. 

BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM FALLIS WOOD 



WILLIAM FALLIS AND BARBARA (BRUMBACH) WOOD 

William Follis Wood was born August 14th, 1802, in the 
Shenandoah Valley, Page County, Va., near Rileyville. He 
was the son of Benjamin and Sarah Wood, whose biographical 
sketch is in Chapter IV. December 27th, 1821 he was 
married to Miss Barbara Brumbach. They located north 
of Rileyville, near the Shenandoah river where they lived 
about twenty-two years. Here all their children were born, 
a family of five girls and three boys. Of these I shall speak 
personally later. He then moved to the opposite side of the 
river and built a large frame house on a rise overlooking the 
river. In 1848 he sold his farms and personal property and 
moved to Missouri. 

The traveling outfit for this journey consisted of a 
large two horse carriage and one big wagon with five horses. 

The carriage was inclosed and had one seat out in front 
for the driver and one in the rear for the footman. 

The driver of the wagon rode the left wheelhorse and 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


13 


drove with a single line to the fifth or lead horse. In this 
wagon were the tents, beds, provisions, darkies and some of 
the children. 

We started from Va. September 23rd and stopped in 
Cooper County Mo. Nov. 19th, having been on the road nearly 
two months. Sister Mary, her husband and little girl (Em¬ 
ma) came with us in a two horse wagon. 

Two or three other families were with us, making in all 
quite a train. We all camped out, sleeping in tents. We 
traveled thru all sorts of country—mountains, valleys and 
uninhabited swamps. 

If you have never travelled thru the desert swamps in 
an early day, it would be useless to try to describe it to you. 
If you have you will need no description. It has left an 
impression in my memory that will never fade. 

We remained in Cooper county about sixteen months. 
While there Sallie (Sarah) and Susanah were married. Sallie 
to Alfred Carey, and Susanah to Samuel K. Bear. Both 
couples married the same evening. They walked out on the 
floor at the same time. Mr. Carey and Sallie were married 
by Rev. Mr. Nevins. Mr. Bear and Susanah, by Rev. Mr. 
Douglas. This was April 3rd 1849. In March 1850 all 
except the two girls recently married, moved to northwest 
Mo. and settled in what was known as Platte purchase,— 
a fine body of land recently bought of the Indians. A man 
was privileged to buy all of this land he could pay for, at one 
and a quarter dollars per acre. 

Our father bought a fine body of this land, with some 
improvements at six dollars per acre. It was located in An¬ 
drew county about six miles Northeast of Savannah, the 
county seat. Here we were subject to the hardships and in¬ 
convenience of frontier life, with the chills and fever added. 
Here the ground produced abundant crops, but there was 
no market for them. What one could not use went to waste. 

When in the spring of 1852 it became necessary for our 
father to return to Va. he rigged up a traveling outfit con¬ 
sisting of a two-horse wagon, team and camping equipment 
and with his wife, youngest daugter (Bettie) and myself, 
started on the long and tedious journey. 


14 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


When within about 20 miles of St. Louis, mother took 
sick and we laid over a week. Including this week, we were 
just 2 months on the road. 

We were detained in Virginia about 18 months, and in 
the fall of 1853 we started for home. This time we had 
three horses. The third horse was hitched to the end of the 
tongue. I rode the left wheel horse, and with a single line 
to the front horse drove the team. We were just seven weeks 
on the road. We sometimes traveled new roads—seeing 
new countries. This made three times we had traveled the 
distance between Virginia and Missouri, camping out all the 
time. 

You may wonder why we would choose this slow way of 
traveling, or why we did not do business thru the bank by 
mail. At that time there were no railroads thru the country, 
the banks were not reliable—they had no backing and were 
liable to close doors any day. Silver and gold was the only 
reliable money. This was too heavy and unsafe to be carried 
thru the mail, which was carried by stage or horseback. 
It was not uncommon for the mail to be robbed and the carrier 
killed. It cost 25c to send a letter from Va. to Mo. 

When father went to pay for the land he had bought, 
(I do not know how much he had paid on it before) he brot 
in a sack of money—nearly all, possibly all silver and poured 
it out on the bed. I had never seen much money and it made 
an impression on my mind that has never faded. I thot 
it would be an endless job to count it. 

Our father William F. was well formed, about 6 ft. high 
and straight, weighing probably about 170 pounds, fair com- 
plextion, hazel eyes, with heavy overhanging brows. He was 
affectionate, genial and I think I might say playful. He 
would often go out with the boys and teach them how to play. 
He had many friends. His children loved and obeyed him. 

He was honest and upright in his dealing and loyal to his 

country. If I remember correctly, he was an officer in some- 
kind of an organization. I don’t know what it was called— 
probably state militia or home guards. They had stated 
times for drilling, and he seemed to think it very necessary 
for him to be there. This was in Va. He owned slaves 

there I don’t know how many. I remember a very fine 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


15 


young colored woman who was burned to death. Her clothes 
caught fire one night after the white people were in bed. 
She could not put it out and ran thru two or three rooms 
to where father was sleeping. He put the fire out, burning 
his hands badly. She lived several days. She was the first 
person I ever saw buried. One colored woman and her son 
was brot to Missouri with us. 

When the civil war broke out, father opposed the division 
of the states, believing it would be a source of endless trouble, 
and possibly destroy the government. His three boys enter¬ 
tained the same views-opposing the secession of the states. 

I can now look back upon my father with admiration, as 
I recall these days of trouble, when the dark war-clouds hung 
over the land. 

When neighbors in our neighborhood were killing each 
other, calling them from their beds and shooting them 
down, or shooting them in the roads, or in the fields, and 
destroying each others property. Amid it all, father and his 
home and his family, remained undisturbed. He seemed to 
retain the same respect and friendship of his neighbors, he 
had before. And when they came to his house, they were 
received with the same welcome and cordial greeting as be¬ 
fore. He loved the southern people but believed they were 
making a mistake, and he could not endorse what they were 
doing. He was for the government but opposed to outlaws on 
either side. 

When I consider where he stood and how he stood, I am 
reminded of a lofty peak with a storm raging at its base, while 
its summit bathes in the calm sunlight of heaven. He lived 
above hatred and revenge. 

He loved his country and his people. He loved his neigh¬ 
bors, and they felt the warming influences of his love. 

He lived to see the war closed, and peace restored. 

On the 6th of May 1865, leaning on the promises of God, 
he passed on from his home below, to his home in heaven. 

About A. D. 1857, he and his devoted wife Barbara Wood 
were baptised into the fellowship of the Union Grove Baptist 
Church. They were buried side by side in the cemetery of 
this church, where their Earthly remains will rest till im¬ 
mortalized by Him who is the Resurrection and the Life. 


16 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


CHAPTER VI. 

OUR MOTHER AND HER PEOPLE 

Barbara (Brumbach) Wood, daughter of Henry and Mary 
Brumach, and wife of William F. Wood was born May 15th, 
1800, in Page County Virginia, near Luray, where she grew to 
womanhood. 

She always looked beautiful to me. She was medium 
height, above average in size and well formed. She had 
deep blue eyes, dark hair—but not black—and fair complexion. 

As I remember her she was dignified and womanly. Her 
language was refined (chaste) and free from slang or vulgar 
jesting. Her manners were pleasant and homelike She could 
give you a welcome and make you feel at home She was a kind 
loving wife and mother. She was even tempered and self- 
controlled. To say she was industrious, hardly expresses it. 
She was strong and healthful. She belonged to that sturdy 
German stock which came to this country in an early day, 
and was noted for its industry, economy and thirft. 

In those days when the clothing and food was all taken 
from the farm, the people had something to do—they were 
not running over the country hunting work. I well remember 
my mother, evenings, at her little wheel till bed-time spinning 
flax or hemp into thread for our clothing. 

Our mother had been raised by religious parents and 
was religiously inclined but was not a church-member till 
late in life. On Sundays after getting the children cleaned up 
for the Sabbath, she would get the big family Bible and her 
old-fashioned split-bottomed chair, lean the back against the 
wall, put her feet on the front round, the Bible on her lap 
and sit there and read. I wondered then what there was in 
that old book that interested her so much. I have that same 
old Bible now and prize it very highly. 

There was no Sunday School then, so the children were 
allowed to play on Sundays. 

There was a preaching point five or six miles away. 
Father and mother sometimes attended. I think they assist- 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


17 


ed in the singing—they were both good singers and practiced 
at home. 

Mother’s parents were Baptists. When she was about 
57 years of age, she with her husband was baptised into the 
fellowship of the Union Grove Baptist Church in Andrew 
County Mo. She was ever faithful to this covenant. 

Mother was robust and bid fair to live to a ripe old age, 
but the death of her husband, and accumulated cares seemed 
to break her constitution. She carried her loved ones in 
her great loving heart, and her dear old hands were never too 
tired to minister to their needs. 

I have ever felt that it was this self-forgetfulness and 
untiring devotion that hastened her death. 

On Thursday evening as she was walking thru the room, 
she suddenly dropped into a chair. I hastened to her. She 
was paralized. On the following Sunday night—Jan. 21, 1866, 
the struggle ended, and she passed on to the Mansions above 
to meet her Redeemer and see Him face to face, and be like 
Him. 

DEAR MOTHER 

Yet again we hope to meet thee 
When the day of life is fled, 

Then in Heaven with joy to greet thee 
Where no farewell tear is shed. 

It is not the purpose of the writer of these sketches to 
make long geneological publications, but it would not be 
justice to our mother if we failed to make our readers, to 
some extent, acquainted with her noble ancestry. 

For the benefit of those who desire a more extended 
knowledge of our people, I would refer them to an elaborate 
history of the “Brumbach Families” compiled by Gains 
Marcus Brumbach, M. D. of Washington, D. C. who has spared 
neither labor nor money in his researches. He has searched 
the archieves of different countries, tracing our maternal 
family lineage back thru many generations to the banks of 
the river Rhine in northern Germany, to about A. D. 700 
where there was a valley and a town named Brumbach. When 
Martin Luther came out and boldly exposed the trickery 
and shameful deeds of many of the Roman priests and laid 


18 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


bare the wicked devices of the Catholic church, many of the 
German people followed him and became ardent supporters of 
the reformation. The bitter persecution of the Catholic 
church drove many of the reformers to other countries for 
shelter. 

Among those who came to America were some of the 
brumbach families who settled in Penn, and Virginia. From 
these sturdy pioneers came our maternal relations. 

Certain distinguishing charastics, such as industry, 
economy, honesty, love of home and kindred, have ever follow¬ 
ed this people. They have been home-builders, and where 
ever located, have been active in developing the country. 

Many of them have been classed with the nobility, having 
titles of distinction, holding offices of honor and responsibility. 

Some branches of the family had their distinguishing 
“Coat of Arms” (See foot note at end of chapter) 

I do not know whether our Brumbach grand parents were 
born in Va. or Penn. They often talked to each other in 
their native tongue. They spoke English fairly w T ell. I think 
our mother had none of the German brogue. 

For the benefit of those who may travel extensively, 
or study the history of the Brumbauch family. I will say— 
You will find variations in the spelling of Brumbach. In 
some instances it is Brom—and occasionally we find it Bram— 
The last part of the name is sometimes found spelled—back, 
but oftener—baugh. 

Dr. Brumbaugh says, “The English equivalent of the 
ending “—back” is “—baugh”. He says the Virginia re¬ 
cords show the name to be Brumbach. 

There is a bit of early history which touches slightly the 
Brumbach family, which may interest some of my readers. 

A family by the name of Rhoades settled on the west 
side of the Shenandoah river, north of where Luray, Page 
County now is. Hostile Indians made a raid on them, killed 
the parents, burned the house and carried away with them 
two boys and one girl. One girl with her baby sister in her 
arms escaped thru a hemp field. The girl with the Indians 
could not keep up in the rapid march, so they killed her. 
One of the boys tried to escape and they killed him. The 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


19 


other boy, after being with them three years, returned home. 

The two escaped girls grew to womanhood and married 
two brothers by the name of Grove. One of the brothers— 
Marcus Grove had children born to them, but I do not know 
their names. The wife died and he married again and had 
five children—one was named Mary. Mary Grove married 
Henry Brumbach. To this union twelve children were born. 
The fourth one was named Barbara. This Barbara Brumbach 
married William Follis Wood. To this union eight children 
were born, of which the writer of these sketches is the young¬ 
est, and the only one now living. 

Paul said boldly amidst bitter persecutions “I am the 
stock of Abraham”. He was stimulated to noble deeds, as 
he felt the blood of Abraham and prophets and kings cours¬ 
ing thru his veins. 

So may we be stimulated to noble deeds when we realize 
that the blood of true men and women, who dared to stand 
for the right amidst bitter persecutions when men were dying 
as martyrs, is coursing thru our veins. 

SOME MILITARY RECORDS 

In Dr. Brumbaugh’s history of Brumbach families, on 
page 92 he says— “Benjamin Brumbach, son of Gerhard 
Brumbach was born 1731. As a Revolutionary soldier he was 
commissioned 1st Lieut, of Capt. Edward Parker’s Co. of 
2nd batallion of Chester county militia, August 5th, 1776. 
Later Capt. of 8th batallion of Chester County Militia, 1779. 
militia. 

On page 95 the same writer says.— Henry Brumbach, 
son of Gerhard Brumbach was born February 18, 1733— 
Served in the revolutionary war, was commissioned ensign 
of Capt. Edward Parker’s batallion Chester county militia 
August 5th 1776. 

On page 89 the same writer tells us that many from the 
Brumbach families served their country in the civil war. 


Foot note— I find that grandfather Brumbach was born in 
Virginia March 5th, 1769. That he married Mary Grove May 27th 
1794 near Luray Page County Virginia. Mary Grove was born Oct. 
1772. Day of month not given. 



20 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


CHAPTER VII. 

SARAH ANN WOOD 

Sarah Ann Wood (Family name Sallie) daughter of 
William F. and Barbara Wood was born November 7th, 1822 
in Page county, Va. 

She was tall, straight, fair complexion, hazle eyes and 
black hair. She was very dignified, self composed under 
all circumstances—never allowing herself to speak harshly 
or rudely to any one. When she corrected her children it 
was with the same even tenor of action and voice. She would 
sometimes weep while correcting them, but she made it effect¬ 
ual and her children loved and respected her. 

I think I might safely say that she had an ideal home. 
If she had suffering, disappointment or sorrow, she bore it 
uncomplainingly. I some times wondered how one so delicate 
could possess such fortitude. 

When her husband met with financial disaster (of which 
I will speak later) she accepted it bravely and gave up her 
lovely home in Rockport Mo., and moved into a very humble 
cottage in Whitesville, where she with her children could be 
near her parents and kindred while her husband went out to 
make another start in the world. 

Whether her clothes were fine or plain, they always 
looked neat and clean, and if the table was spread with plain 
food, it always looked inviting. She was never robust, but 
reserving her strength, she lived to the good old age of 69 
years. 

April 3rd 1849 she was married to Alfred Carey in 
Cooper county Mo. He was a good man, loving and lovable, 
and was an admirable husband and father. He was indus¬ 
trious, honest and upright in all his dealings. 

In 1853 they moved from Cooper county to Northwest 
Mo. and engaged in the mercantile business. After trying 
two or three other places they finally located in Rockport, 
Mo. in 1855. Here they did a thriving business for several 
years, but desiring to enlarge his business, he formed a 
partnership with a big firm in Savannah Mo. This firm 
failed and dragged him down with it. He came out with 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


21 


nothing, and heavily in debt to a wholesale firm in St. Louis. 

He then rigged out a freighting outfit and began freight¬ 
ing from the Missouri River to the western mountains. This 
proved to be a success. Soon he was able to make the whole¬ 
sale firm in St. Louis the proposition that if they would give 
him a clear receipt, he would pay his part of the firms indebt¬ 
edness. This they accepted and he was once more free. 

When he had made money enough to start in business 
again, he moved the family back to Atchison county and went 
into the stock business A. D. 1869. 

He soon needed more range for his stock and moved to 
Valley county Neb. near Ord. He lived here till the death 
of his wife December 12, 1891. She is buried in the Ord 
cemetry. 

After this the family sold their interests in Neb. and 
moved to Kansas City Mo., where Mr. Carey died April 17, 
1902. 

They were devoted, conscientious, faithful members of 
the Baptist church and proved their faith by their works. 
They honored their profession and their children honored 
them. They died in the rich enjoyment of the Christian’s 
hopes. “They rest from their labors and their works do 
follow them.” 

I always regarded the Carey home as one of those choice 
places where there is a heavenly atmosphere and love the 
supreme law. I looked upon each member of the family as 
being a gem—a rare specimen of the human family. 

To the above union were born five children, Viz.— Mary 
Francis, Emma Wood, John William, Arra Belle and Bettie 
Florence. Emma Wood and John William died in infancy. 
The others at this time are living together in K. C., Mo. 

In writing a brief biographical sketch of the three living 
daughters, I find that many things will apply equally to all. 
Hence to save time and repetition, I will first speak of things 
in common, and then of things which can only be applied 
individually. 

After completing the common school education, they 
attended the Neb. state normal, thus fitting themselves for 
useful lives. With such parental examples before them, and 


22 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


the influence and training of such a mother—living in the 
atmosphere of virtue, truth and love, it would be strange if 
they should fail to have the highest ideals of true woman¬ 
hood. Fortunately they were wise enough to see and appre¬ 
ciate the beauty and happiness of such influences as they 
had been raised up under. 

It may be safely said they never did anything to blot 
the fair name of their parents.—In this they kept the 5th 
commandment “Honor thy father and thy mother”. 

They have manifested a keen interest in the religous, 
educational and political affairs of the country. They early 
became members of the Baptist church, and have lived con¬ 
sistent Christian lives. They are loving and lovable, honest, 
honorable and economical. 

MARY FRANCIS 

Mary Francis, better known as Mollie, daughter of Alfred 
and Sarah Carey was born January 10, 1850 in Cooper county 
Mo. She never married. She became a professional school 
teacher at the age of 16 and spent the vigor of her young 
womanhood in that profession. When she was a child I 
thot she could ask the most questions of any one I had ever 
seen, but it showed a desire for knowledge. 

Her mother told this incident of her childhood— “One 
day it became necessary to correct Mollie with a switch. 
After she had quit crying she brot the switch to her mother 
and said ‘mama, see what a big stick you hit me with—you 
urt my fles’ (flesh).” 

She was kind and tender-hearted, and strongly attached 
to kindred and friends. She was brave and fought the 
battles of life well. Her influence has been for good only. 

ARRA BELLE 

Ara Belle, daughter of Alfred and Sarah Carey was born 
July 8, 1856, in Rockport Mo. She grew to womanhood in 
northwest Mo. Like her sister she became a professional 
school teacher, and spent her youthful days in the profession. 
She never married. 

She made two trips to the Shenandoah valley in Va. 
looking over the country of her mother’s nativity, and get- 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


23 


ting acquainted with her people. She was there in 1882 and 
again in 1903 and saw the homes where my father and mother 
had lived.—where their children were born, and where my 
mother was raised. While there she gathered much informa¬ 
tion of interest to those who want to know more of our 
ancestry. Some of this information has gone into this little 
book. 

She is a great admirer of the beauties of nature, and 
has acquired some reputation as a painter. Her productions 
are admired, and may be found in the homes of those who 
love and admire the beautiful. 

BETTIE FLORENCE CAREY 

Bettie Florence, daughter of Alfred and Sarah Carey, was 
born January 13th, 185# in Rockport, Mo. and grew to woman¬ 
hood in northwest Mo.^January 30th, 1879 she was married 
to James I. Boyer of Nebraska City, where they lived till 
1883 when they moved to Indinaola, Neb. From there to 
Denver, Colo, and later to Kansas City, Mo., where they did 
a prosperous business, handling stock. During the great 
floods in 1903 they were damaged to the amount of about 
$50,000. 

A few years ago they moved to San Francisco, where Mr. 
Boyer died December 31st, 1919, after a happy married life 
of nearly 41 years. 

Two children were born to them but both died in in¬ 
fancy. They have an adopted daughter, Alice Estelle. She 
married Charles Eastman of Colorado Springs, Col., June 
4th, 1913. 

Reviewing her life, she spoke of her marital relations, 

and how happily they had lived up to the last, with bright 
prospects of the future before them. How little did she 
realize then that within a few month, she would be a widow, 
sad and lonely. 

But she is not alone. The great Comforter will ever be 
with her, pointing her upward to the gathering place of the 
saints of God, where there is no death, and where sickness 
and sorrows never come. 


24 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


The reader will pardon me for referring the second time 
to these three sisters. I am grieved to think that my poor 
words have fallen so far below what they deserve. The life 
they are living is worthy of better things than are written in 
these few lines. They are perfectly devoted to each other, 
each striving to make the other happy—living lives blame¬ 
less before the world. They are strongly attached to their 
kindred whom they delight to honor, never forgetting the 
higher claims which God has on them, ever looking to the 
higher life and the higher joys awaiting them at the 
grand reunion of all the saved of earth, where the family will 
be united forever. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


25 


CHAPTER VIII. 

MARY ELIZABETH WOOD 

Mary Elizabeth, daughter of William F. and Barbara 
Wood was born Sept. 23rd, 1824 in Page Co., Va. She was 
tall and straight, fair complexioned, blue eyed and had dark 
brown hair. She was very strong and did most of the family 
weaving, sometimes weaving for other relatives. She was 
even tempered, cheerful and kind, seemingly well and happy 
and never complaining. In the fall of 1864, one night after 
the family was in bed, she was reading and praying when the 
Lord revealed himself to her in great mercy as her Redeemer 
and Saviour. She received Him fully and was unspeakably 
happy. Two years later she united with the Baptist church 
and was baptized by Rev. John H. Best in the One Hundred 
and Two River near Barnard. She was ever faithful to this 
covenant. She lived Christianity daily and when the end 
came she might have said, as Paul did, “I have kept the 
Faith”. 

She lived about fifteen years after the death of her 
husband. This time was spent with her children—most of 
the time in Barnard. During the last six years she and 
her daughter Emma lived together in Barnard, surrounded 
by old time and well tried friends, who lived in her great, 
loving heart. Much of this time was spent in writing letters 
to her children, nephews, nieces and other kindred and 
friends. These letters were full of love, interest and encourage¬ 
ment, breathing a divine atmosphere full of expectation and 
longing. 

She was a remarkable woman, remarkable for her physi¬ 
cal strength and endurance. She had a wonderful memory. 
She was a walking encyclopedia for facts and dates relating to 
kindred ties for two and three generations back. Her un¬ 
bounded love took in everybody. Her faith in the Divine was 
wonderful. Like Enoch of old, she walked with.God. 

She seemed to be in touch with those loved ones who had 
gone before. Her citizen-ship was in heaven. She was in the 
world, but not of the world. Full of faith and good works, 


26 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


she passed to her eternal reward on the 25th of February, 
1915. 

She was married to Alpheus Jett Dearing July 31st 1845 
in Page county Va. They came with the rest of us to Mo. in 
1848 and located in Nodaway county. 

Thru industry and economy, they soon acquired a fine 
farm and beautiful home. Her husband became one of the 
wealthiest men of the county. The town of Barnard was built 
on his land,—he having contributed more possibly, than any 
other person to its growth and importance. 

To give Barnard banking facilities, he with another man 
started a bank, which after some years, failed. Having been 
honest and upright in all his dealings up to this time, he met 
the crisis like the stalwart man that he was—he turned over 
everything that he had to save the bank’s creditors, tho it had 
failed thru no fault of his. 

Broken in spirit, and too old to start up again, he moved 
to Oklahoma and lived on his daughter Emma’s farm till March 
23d 1899, he fell asleep to rest from the toils and cares of a 
long and eventful life. He sleeps in the Kingfisher cemetery. 
He was a useful citizen, and a prominent member of the 
Masonic order. 

CHILDREN OF ALPHEUS J AND MARY E. DEARING 

Viz,— Sarah, Emma Susan, John William, Mortimore 
Green, Jacob A., and Barbara Elizabeth. 

Sarah was born August 9th 1846 in Page Co., Va. Died 
Dec. 9 same year. 

John William was born August 8, 1851 in Andrew Co., 
Mo. He came to a tragic death Sept. 1st, 1862. While stand¬ 
ing on the covering of a well drawing water, the covering 
gave way and all went down together, and he was killed. 
He had been a good boy, and a great help and comfort to 
his parents. 

EMMA SUSAN 

Emma Susan, daughter of Alpheus J. and Mary E. Dear¬ 
ing was born Oct. 7, 1847 in Page Co., Va. In the fall of 
1848 she came with her parents to Cooper Co., Mo. In the 
spring of 1850 they moved to northwest Mo., where she grew 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


27 


to womanhood. Dec. 7th, 1873 she was married by her uncle 
J. S. F. Wood to Christopher Aurelius Dobyns. He also was 
a Virginian, and in 1885 they went back to the old home coun¬ 
try and spent about 18 months visiting friends and kindred. 

He was a good man. Active and useful in the church. 
When married, he was a member of the M. E. S. Church, 
but later joined the Baptist to be with his wife. He became a 
deacon and was useful. He died at Barnard Nov. 4, 1888. 

In 1891 Mrs. Dobyns, accompanied by her younger sister, 
made a short visit to Va. 

When the Cheyenne and Arrapaho reservations had be¬ 
come a part of Oklahoma, and was ready for homesteaders, 
this unique plan was adopted.— All who wanted to try for a 
homestead were to assemble at the border line at a designated 
time, and at the signal of guns every one ran for his home¬ 
stead. 

The first one raising a flag on a quarter section might 
hold it. Mrs. Dobyns was living with her parents in Noda¬ 
way Co., Mo., when she saw the above announcement in a 
paper, and she decided to try for a homestead. 1 

She went to Kingfisher, Okla. where she borrowed from 
a friend, a saddle-horse gentle and fleet. At the time set 
for the race, she was in line with flag in hand, and when the 
guns fired, she was in the race. After riding one and one- 
half miles, she was far enough in the lead to jump off and 
plant her flag. 

After the financial disaster of her father (Referred to in 
his biography) she with her parents moved to the homestead 
she had taken, improved it, and lived there till her father’s 
death, when she and her mother moved back to Barnard, Mo., 
where with a loving heart and willing hands, she devoted 
herself to the pleasing duties of making her mother com¬ 
fortable and happy the rest of her days. These duties she 
performed with a devotion seldom equaled. 

After the death of her mother, she received an invita¬ 
tion from her uncle J. S. F. Wood and wife, of Santa Ana, 
Calif, to make her home with them. She accepted the invita¬ 
tion, and this is her Earthly home as long as it lasts. At 
present she is staying with her cousin Wayland Wood, help- 


28 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


ing him take care of his motherless children. His wife hav¬ 
ing died, left him with four children. 

She has spent much of her time helping her kindred and 
friends when they needed help. She has a great loving heart, 
big enough to take in everybody, and everybody that knows 
her, loves her. She is brave and fearless, but as tender¬ 
hearted as a child. She is a devoted Christian, having unit¬ 
ed with the Baptist church while young. She has kept the 
faith and is enjoying the hope of the grand reunion of all the 
saints. May she live long to comfort those about her. 

MORTIMORE GREEN DEARING 

Mortimore Green, son of Alpheus J. and Mary E. Dearing 
was born March 19, 1856 in Nodaway Co., Mo. Here he grew 
to manhood, attending the common schools and working on 
the farm with his father until he was twenty four years of 
age. He then engaged in the hardware business in Barnard, 
Mo. On Nov. 26th, 1884 he married Miss Margaret Craig, 
of Guilford, Mo. (the writer performing the ceremonies) 
She was born Jan. 27th, 1859 at Aurora Ind., and came with 
her parents to Nodaway, Co., Mo. in 1863. She was a very 
worthy woman of good parentage and proved to be a true 
helpmate in deed and truth. A devoted loving mother and 
wife. 

In 1885 they sold their business at Barnard and put im¬ 
provements on his father’s land, on which they lived till the 
bank crash came and broke them all. They then moved to 
Hennessey, Okla., where he worked up a good business as 
builder and contractor. Their home is still there, but his 
work has not been confined entirely to that place. He has 
worked at Kansas City, Mo., Belle Fourche, S. D. and Guil¬ 
ford, Mo. He is industrious and honest, loving, affectionate 
and humble; seeming to regard others as better than himself. 
The Saviour said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their’s 
is the Kingdom of Heaven”. 

He and his wife are members of the Methodist Espicopal 
Church and are keeping the faith. 

One son, Alpheus, was born to them August 21st, 1885. 
When twenty one years old he began work with the Wyeth 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


29 


Wholesale Hardware Store, St. Joseph, Mo. He is now located 
in Kansas City, Mo., working with the big firm of Richard 
& Conover. 

He married Miss Grace Nellie Rowsbush. They have two 
children, Dorothy Lucill and Gereld Alpheus. 

Alpheus and wife are members of the Christian Church; 
converted at the Billy Sunday meetings in Kansas City. 

Since writing the above, Mortimore and his devoted wife 
have sold their home in Hennessy Okla., and have bought 
property in Santa Ana Cal., where they are now living. Since 
I have become more intimately acquainted with them in 
Santa Ana, I feel that I have not expressed the real worth 
of this worthy woman. 

JACOB ALPHEUS DEARING 

In writing the biography of J. A. Dearing, I have decided 
to insert in full a letter written by his wife, complying with 
my request for a brief sketch of his life. After reading this 
statement carefully, I see no reason for changing it, especially 
as we have been separated for thirty or more years. 

She says.— “Jacob Alpheus Dearing, son of Alpheus 
Jett and Mary Elizabeth Dearing was born near the little 
town of Barnard, Nodaway Co., Mo. Aug. 19, 1860. Was 
reared on the farm, helping his father with the farm work, 
going to school only a few months each year after the autumn 
crops were gathered. 

At the age of 19 he left home to attend the schools at 
Maryville, Mo., preparatory to managing his father’s bank at 
Barnard, but before finishing his education, he yielded to 
his father’s wishes and found himself in Barnard, in the hard¬ 
ware and furniture business, which he conducted successfully 
for twenty eight years. 

He was married Jan. 2nd, 1884, to Miss Ellen Park. She 
died May 17th, 1885, leaving a daughter a few days old. 

He was married the second time Nov. 27th, 1887 to 
Lucy Montgomery Ellis. He brought into his home with his 
wife, a stepson 7 years old, and his wife’s mother who lived 
with them till her death. 


30 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


Lucy Montgomery was a woman of rare talents, being 
especially accomplished in music, both vocal and instrumental. 
She was beautiful of face and form. Her friends were num¬ 
bered by her acquaintances. 

During the 24 years of this happy married life, their 
spacious home, situated on the highest point in Barnard, 
was always open to their friends and relatives, and especially 
welcome were the ministers of the Christian Church, of which 
they were both staunch and influential members. 

He sold his hardware store and all his Barnard interests 
in 1909 excepting his home, the keys of which he turned over 
to his mother and his widowed sister, and left everything in¬ 
tact, just as he had been 30 years accumulating. 

He and Mrs. Dearing moved to Shawnee Okla. to join 
his stepson in the Ford Automobile business—they having 
at that time the Ford agency for the state. 

He maintained the old home at Barnard until his mother’s 
death—selling at that time all his Barnard interests, except 
a few rare old pieces, heirlooms from the Ellis and Dearing 
families. 

The telephone in the J. A. Dearing home was the first 
telephone installed in Nodaway County. 

Lucy Dearing died in Shawnee, Okla. Dec 22, 1911. Her 
remains were taken back to Nodaway Co., Mo. and buried in 
the old Salem cemetery Dec. 25th. 

On Feb. 1st, 1913, he was married to Obira Rosser 
Pierson, daughter of Prof. W. E. Rosser, and grand daughter 
of Col. John F. Rosser of Lynchburg, Va. The marriage 
taking place in Oklahoma City at the home of the bride’s 
brother, Judge Malcom E. Rosser, at that time on the 
supreme bench of Okla. 

In 1914 his step son Thomas Ellis married a most beau¬ 
tiful and talented girl of Lawton, Okla, at which time Mr. 
Dearing withdrew from the Ford auto business and resumed 
his former business of hardware and house furnishings, in 
which he and Mrs. Dearing are now very successfully engaged 
in Shawnee, Okla.” 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


31 


To the above I will add that J. A. Dearing, as a man, 
made a fine appearance, being about 6 feet high, straight and 
well rounded up, weighing possibly 180 pounds, possessing 
good conversational powers. Many years of association with 
church workers and business men, gave him an easy bearing, 
and enabled him to feel at home in the best circles of society. 

The only child born to him was Mamie Ellen, by his 
first wife, born May 2, 1885 at Barnard Mo. When 19 days 
old her mother died and was buried at Kansas City, Mo. 

Mamie, the little orphan babe was taken to the home of 
her grandma Dearing, and was with her continuously till 
her marriage to James E. Woodring, June 25th, 1808, of 
Colo. Springs Colo. 

She was married at her father’s home in Barnard Mo. 
Her home was at Colo. Springs till the death of her husband 
Jan. 5, 1914. He was a good man, a useful citizen and a 
prominent member in the I. 0. 0. F. lodge No. 38 of Colo. 
Springs, Colo. After his death, she came to Santa Ana, 
Calif, and on March 2, 1918, she was married by the writer, 
to Claud E. Wagner, a business man of Santa Ana. 

Mamie is a high minded noble woman. She was educat¬ 
ed in the schools of Barnard Mo.—finishing in the high school 
of that place. 

She is a member of the Christian Church. 

She and her husband are now happily located in Santa 

Ana. 

BARBARA ELIZABETH DEARING 

Barbara Elizabeth Dearing (Family name Bettie) daugh¬ 
ter of Alpheus J. and Mary E. Dearing was born Jan. 10, 
1863 in Nodaway Co., Mo. Here she grew to womanhood 
attending the common school. 

She was tall, straight and well formed—making a fine 

appearance. She was noble and refined, strong in body and 
character. She acted as one who had a purpose in life— 
as one who had duties that must be done. 

In 1891, in company with her sister Emma, she spent 
a few months in Va. getting acquainted with our kindred 
there. In 1893 she left Mo. and went to Okla. to stay with 


32 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


her sister Emma on her homestead. She worked 3 years in 
a general store in Kingfisher, Okla. While there she married 
James F. Pruyne. In 1902 they moved to Wichita, Kansas 
and engaged in the grocery business. Later he was with 
the Hockaday Hardware Co. Recently, they bought land in 
Colorado and are preparing to move to it. 

The subject of this sketch accepted Christ as her savior 
while young. She united with the Barnard Baptist church 
and was baptized in the One-Hundred and Two River, by her 
uncle J. S. F. Wood, A. D. 1886. 

She has ever carried with her the characteristics of the 
Christian faith. She thru the blessings of God and the co¬ 
operation of her husband, has been able to build a home for 
the family—when I say home, I do not mean a house. A fine 
house and plenty of money will not make a home. 

The many divorces among the rich as well as the poor, 
is proof of that fact. Such things may add to the pleasures 
of a home, but it takes something better and above wealth to 
make a home. 

The man who is fortunate enough to get a wife who is 
a home builder is rich, whether he has little or much money. 
The central figure in a home is the wife and mother. Happy 
is the man and the children who have a home. To this spot 
the heart clings—It will ever be sacred in memory and still 
fresh in old age. 

The parents who are not able to build a home for their 
children are to be pitied, and the children are to be pitied 
more. 

The parents of this sketch have a home, and will have 
where ever they go, and their children honor, love and respect 
them. 

To the above union two children were born, viz—Howard 
Dearing and Robert Alpheus. 

Howard Dearing Pruyne, was born May 14, 1897 at 
Kingfisher, Okla. He was educated in the school of Wichita, 
Kan. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy at Washington, D. C. 
and served in the radio department. Was at Norfolk, Va. 
awhile, was sent from there to Harvard, Mass, and was dis¬ 
charged at Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 14, 1918. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


33 


He is now doing office work for the International Har¬ 
vester Company. 

Robert Alpheus Pruyne, was born Jan. 6, 1899 at King¬ 
fisher, Okla. Was educated in the schools of Wichita, Kan. 
Enlisted in the U. S. Army but never reached the front. Was 
discharged at Wichita Dec. 14, 1918. 

He is now draftsman for the city building Co. 


34 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


CHAPTER IX. 

BENJAMIN HENRY WOOD 

Benjamin Henry (Family name Benny) son of William F. 
and Barbara Wood, was born June 25th, 1826 in Page Co., Va. 

He was probably about 5 feet 10 inches in height, weigh¬ 
ing about 165 pounds, dark eyes, dark brown hair. He was 
athletic, playful and of a jovial and happy disposition. He 
enjoyed a good clean joke, and was a good hand at getting 
them off. He was industrious and seemed to enjoy work. 

Before leaving Va. our father bought the state right of 
Mo. for cutting and fitting garments, at a cost I think of 
$500.00. Benny undertook to canvass the state, teaching 
and selling charts for fitting garments, but he soon gave it 
up. 

After this he worked several years at the carpenter’s 
trade and soon gained a reputation for fast work and reason¬ 
able charges. In those pioneer days they were not putting up 
fine houses, but the demand was for plain houses, put up 
quickly. Because of his reputation for speed and workman¬ 
ship, Benny Wood was in demand, and many jokes were pass¬ 
ed around as to how quickly he could complete a house. 
Possibly, a man, after telling him what kind of a house he 
wanted, would say, well Benny, do you think we can move in 
tomorrow? or next week? 

In those days the sills were hewed timbers and mortises 
were cut in them to receive the tenant of the studding. 
Benny was sure to have the tenant small enough to drop 
into the mortise without trimming or driving. Everything 
went together in a hurry. So it got to be a by word when 
anything fit perfectly, they would say “That is a Benny 
fit”. 

After carpentering for a few years, he engaged in the 
milling business in Whitesville, and later he owned and oper¬ 
ated a fine farm one and one-half miles east of that town. 
He put up a sawmill on this farm which was run by the 
weight of cattle on an incline wheel, or tread-wheel. 

He accumulated considerable property—He had a big 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


35 


heart full of love and sympathy for suffering humanity. 
Many a poor man, or poor widow had felt the touch of his 
helpful hand. 

He was converted to the Christian faith at a Methodist 
revival meeting in Va. while a young man, but did not attach 
himself to any church till in middle life, when he became 
a member of the Christian (Campbelite) Church in Whites- 
ville Mo. Here he became an elder and a very useful mem¬ 
ber. 

I will record one incident of his life to show how sacred 
he regarded his reputation. As I remember the story, Benny, 
when a young man was at a party one night where another 
young man lost a saddle blanket and afterward made it 
appear that Benny Wood had taken it. When Benny heard 
it, he went to an officer and had him make out a lie-bill. He 
then got a rawhide whip and went to the young man, read 
the paper to him and told him to go before an officer and 
sign it, or he would wear that whip out on him. In that way, 
he persuaded the young man to sign the paper before an of¬ 
ficer. 

He was married twice. His first wife was Miss Delilah 
Rogers of Amizonia, Mo. Married Jan. 1st, 1852. She was 
a beautiful woman in form and feature. About ten months 
after their marriage, she slipped and fell, receiving injuries 
from which she never recovered. On Oct. 15, 1852 she passed 
away. 

His second wife was Miss Sarah Ann Cummings. I have 
not been able to get the date of this marriage, but think it was 
in 1854 or 1855. She was a noble Christian woman. She 
possessed those high traits of character which fit a woman 
for a true wife and mother. 

To this union were born nine children, of which four 
died in infancy. The other five are Martha Delilah, William 
Walter, Harvey Edgar, Charles Lee and Arthur Alphus. 

MARTHA DELILAH WOOD 

Martha Delilah, daughter of Benjamin Henry and Sarah 
Ann Wood, was born Aug. 25th, 1856 in Andrew County, Mo. 
Her mother died when she was about 14 years old, and her 


36 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


father died about a year later. After this she made her 
home with her uncle J. S. F. Wood till she became of age. 
During this time, in addition to her common school education, 
she attended school at Stewartsville, Mo. and also a Baptist 
female college at St. Joseph, Mo. 

She professed faith in Christ early in life and united 
with the Baptist Church at Whitesville, Mo. She possessed 
many of the Christian graces, such as virtue, truth, love 
meekness, gentleness, faith. She confided in those she loved. 
She possessed a high sense of honor. Her character she 
safeguarded as her sacred trust. 

After she became of age she kept house for her brother 
Wm. W. Wood in Bolckow, Mo. Lated she located a home¬ 
stead in Kansas near Hoxie. 

She married Alfred Cressler at Oberlin, Kan., March 16, 
1886. He died September 1916 under an operation for kidney 
trouble. 

In about 1903 she spent about a year in Mo. and then 
went back to Kansas. In 1909 she went to Kansas City, Mo. 
where she underwent an operation for cancer. About two 
years later she died on Dec. 15, 1911 in Kansas City, Mo. 
She passed away in peace, trusting in her Redeemer, to be 
with her parents who loved her very dearly. 

Three children were born to the above union, Viz— 
Ethel, Clarance and Clifford. (Ethel and Clarance were 
twins.) These three children were born in Kansas. After 
their mother’s death they kept house in Kansas City till 
Ethel married, then the boys roomed together till one of 
them married. 


ETHEL CRESSLER 

Ethel was born Jan. 24th, 1887 at Hoxie, Kan. She 
taught school awhile in Kansas. 

Replying to one of my letters of inquiry, among other 
things she said,— “I was married March 18, 1915 in K. C., 
Mo., to Clarance E. Phillips. He is employed by the Swift 
Packing Co. He is an awful good, honest honorable man. 
We get along so nicely as all married people should. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


37 


We are building a nice beautiful residence. We have 
two sweet little girls—Viola Mary, born March 8, 1916 and 
Dorothy Mrytle, born Sept. 23, 1919.” 

CLARANCE CRESSLER 

Clarance Cressler was born Jan. 24, 1887. He taught 
school in Kansas. He was married March 18, 1918, to Miss 
Nannie W. Fenton in Kansas City. They have no children. 
He was in the World War, but never got over there. 

He is now a salesman for the Standard Oil Co. in K. C., 
Mo. He is an honorable citizen with a good Kentucky girl 
for a wife. 

CLIFFORD CRESSLER 

Clifford Cressler was born Oct. 11, 1890, near Hoxie, 
Kansas. He was in the U. S. Service in the World War, but 
never got further than the training camp. 

There is a bit of romance connected with his marriage. 
While attending school at Hoxie, Kansas, there was a girl 
about the same age attending the same school. You know 
there are some unexplainable things connected with this 
love business. So this boy and this girl loved each other. 

Parents do not always know or understand their child¬ 
ren’s love affairs. 

So this girl with her parents left Hoxie and they lost 
track of each other. When Clifford went to Kansas City, 
he accepted a position with the Fisk Rubber Co. At one time 
his duties took him to Oklahoma City, Okla. While there 
by chance, or Providence, or some other streak of fortune 
they met face to face, and as they looked into each other’s 
eyes, the old spark blazed, and on Sept. 12th, 1916, Clifford 
Cressler and Miss Callie Walker were joined in “Holy wed¬ 
lock”. 

These children have made good and are an honor to their 
parents. 

WILLIAM WALTER WOOD 

William Walter, son of Benjamin Henry and Sarah Ann 
Wood, was born Jan. 5th, 1861 in Andrew County, Mo. He 


38 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


was left an orphan when 12 years old. He obtained a high 
school education thru his individual efforts and determina¬ 
tion. At the age of 15 he entered the Rockport (Mo.) high 
school and by working from early morning till school time, 
and from after school till sometimes ten o’clock at night, he 
paid his board during the school year. During vacation he 
saved his wages for expense money for the next term. 

He was a model young man, temperate in habits, chaste 
in language, moral in manners, and upright and truthful in 
business. 

In answer to my request, he sent me a synopsis of his 
life. When I had examined it, I decided to insert it in the 
book as it came from his hand. He said: 

My mother died when I was nearly 11 years old, and 
I still have a very vivid recollection of the awful loneliness 
that came into my life at that time. My father died in Jan. a 
little more than a year later. Shortly before his death, he 
admonished his children to “Serve God”. He said he was 
not afraid to die, but it grieved him to leave his family of 
little children alone in the world. 

It has been a great source of comfort to me in after 
years, to hear his neighbors speak well of him, and to know 
he was honored in the community in which he had lived. 

I began business in a small grocery store in Bolckow, 
Mo., the spring of 1882. I knew very little about business, 
and nothing at all about the system of commercial credit 
ratings for merchants. Shortly after I began business for 
myself, our banker came in and spent the evening. We talked 
over business methods, and he asked my idea of doing 
business; whether I would sell for cash or credit. I told 
him I must sell for cash; that my capital was small, and if 
I should sell my goods on time, I would soon be out of goods 
and money too. 

I thot nothing more of the talk with the banker, till a 
few days later, when he showed me his report to “Brad- 
street’s on Me. That was many years ago: I have forgotten 
all the assets mentioned in that report except one—the moral 
asset. Under “Remarks” he said “HE WILL PAY FOR ALL 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


39 


HE BUYS. That sentence has been an inspiration to me from 
that time to the present. I have tried to “Make good”. 

In 1884, J. R. Caldwell of Savannah, Mo. came in as a 
partner in the business. In 1885 we moved our stock of 
goods in Bolckow and Mr. Caldwell's stock of drygoods at 
Savannah, to Oberlin Kansas and opened a general store 
known as Caldwell Wood & Co. 

In 1886 I sold my interests in the Oberlin store, and 
went to Wyoming where for nearly 7 years I tried ranching 
and stockraising. 

Early in 1893 I accepted a position as cashier of The 
First National Bank of Scandia, Kan. an institution with a 
capital and surplus of over $55,000.00 and on March 4th of 
that year I assumed the duties of that office. The financial 
panic of the year 1893 was a severe test of the strength of 
banks—many failed; but owing to the conservative policy 
of the president and former cashier, our First National came 
through very strong. 

It had several times the amount of reserve required by 

law. 

Out of three banks in Belleville, the county seat, of our 
county, two had failed, during the panic, and the third was in 
a failing condition, so at the urgent request of many of the 
business men at the county seat, our First National was mov¬ 
ed to Belleville, and a state bank, The Bank of Scandia, with 
$15,000.00 was organized to take over the business of the out¬ 
going bank. I was chosen cashier of the newly organized 
bank and remained in Scandia. 

At that time salaries were small, and the best of banks 
paid but little in dividends, and some nothing at all; so 
I sold my interests in the bank and moved to Canon City, Colo, 
where I had two years experience in the fruit business. 

In 1898 we moved to Mo. and lived three years on the 
old farm owned so long by Rev. J. S. F. Wood, of whom I 
bought it. 

In 1905 we moved to Spearfish, S. D. where I engaged in 
the lumber business for over 10 years and at the same time 
enjoyed the advantages of the excellent state normal school 
at that place for our children. 


40 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


In 1915 I moved to Belle Fourche to take personal charge 
of my lumber business there which I had opened in 1910. 

This year 1922 finds us still in Belle Fourche, with the 
prospects of the future of our town painted brightly on the 
canvas of our hopes. So it has been thru the years: we have 
plodded on thru the chilling blasts of the wintry winds, and 
the shimmering heat of the summer suns—always plodding 
onward, thru the heat and thru the cold, thru our hopes and 
our fears toward the western slope. 

Sometimes we seem to see the longed for haven of rest, 
the green fields and streams and beautiful valleys just ahead, 
but on reaching the spot, find it only a mirage. Thus we 
learn how much better it is to place our hopes on the Solid 
Rock, than on the drifting sands.” 

He was Secy, and director, in each of the banks where 
he served as cashier; was elected to the city council in Scan- 
dia, Kans. and served also as mayor of that city for a time. 

He and his wife both are members of the M. E. Church. 
She is an Eastern Star and he an Odd Fellow of long stand¬ 
ing, and a member also of the K. P. lodge. Has been treasur¬ 
er of the I. 0. O. F. lodge at Belle Fourche for several years. 
He has served as S. S. Supterintendent in Scandia, Kans., 
Bolckow, Mo., and Spearfish, S. D. Is now trustee and chair¬ 
man of the official board of the M. E. Church, Belle Fourche, 
S. D. These positions he has held for several years. 

On the 13th of April, 1887 he was married to Ermina 
Young of Bolckow Mo. She has ever been a true wife, and 
a devoted, loving mother; a Christian character with an ever 
broadening interest in the Creator, and in the solution of 
life’s problems. Their children love and respect them. 

ERMINA YOUNG WOOD 

Ermina Young Wood’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian 
Young, were among the early settlers of north western Mo. 
They were successful and well-to-do farmers and influential 
citizens. 

Will add, for the benefit of those interested, that her 
paternal grand mother, Maria Zabriskie’s birth and lineage 
is recorded in the Zabriskie notes of the biographical record of 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


41 


N. Y. for 1892. This lineage is carried back to Albrecht 
Zabriskie, born in Poland 1638: died at Hackensack, N. J., 
1711. 

To the above union, six children were born—Raymond 
Chris, Juanita Dell, Benjamin Walter, Erma Zabriskie, 
Beulah Grace and Rodney Rexford. 

RAYMOND CHRIS WOOD 

Raymond Cris, son of William W. and Ermina Wood was 
born in Bolckow, Mo., April 11, 1888. His early childhood 
days were spent in Wyo., Kansas and Colo. And a few 
years of his boyhood were spent on the farm in Mo. 

In 1905 he went with his parents to Spearfish, S. D. 
where for some years he attended the state normal school. 

He was married in Nov. 1908 to Miss Ruth Evans, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Evans, early settlers in the 
Spearfish Valley. Mr. Evans having built the first house in 
Spearfish, and Mrs. Evans taught the first school in that 
place. 

Mr. Evans is favorably mentioned in the history of the 
Black Hills, as a pioneer with the true western spirit. 

Raymond C. and wife soon after marriage went to Pueblo, 
Colo, and was there about one year. Then he returned to 
Spearfish and joined his father in the lumber business: later 
going to Belle Fourche, where he now lives with his family. 
For about 2 years after his return from Colo., he was manager 
of one of the departments in The Fish & Hunter store at 
Deadwood. 

Ray is a man who has many friends; honest and generous 
to a fault: a careful accountant; with good business qualifica¬ 
tions: Is member of the Masonic order. 

In this family, there are 3 children—Reba Ruth, born 
in Pueblo, Colo., Aug. 13, 1909; Charles Raymond, born in 
Spearfish, S. D. Sept 24, 1917, and Benjamin Walter, born in 
Belle Fourche, Oct. 2, 1919. 

i 

BENJAMIN WALTER WOOD 

Benjamin Walter, son of William W. and Ermina Wood, 
was born in Spearfish, S. D. Dec. 13, 1892. 


42 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


He graduated from the Spearfish public school and when 
nearly 15, entered the state normal; graduating from that 
institution in 1913, and a post graduate in 1914. He after¬ 
wards attended the state agricultural college at Brookings, 
S. D., majoring in engineering. 

Shortly after the U. S. entered the World War, he offer¬ 
ed his services to his country. In the summer of 1917 he 
was commissioned First Lieut, at Leavenworth, Kans. and 
was immediately ordered to Nogales, Ariz. on the Mexican 
border, where much of his time was occupied in drilling and 
training recruits for the World War, many of whom, were 
sent to the front. 

While stationed at Nogales, he was advanced to the rank 
of captain, commanding company A 35th infantry, 18th 
division of the regular army. 

At the time the armistice was signed, his regiment was 
stationed at San Antonio Tex. From which place, they had 
expected soon to be sent to Europe. 

After the close of the war, he resigned his commission in 
the army, and has since devoted most of his time in the field 
as civil engineer; having worked with the state highway 
commissions, both in Wyo. and S. D. 

In 1921 he was commander of the American Legion Post 
at Belle Fourche. 

He is a member of the Masonic order and belongs also to 
the K. P. lodge. 

He is a man of decided character and principles. 

JUANITA WOOD 

Nita is gone. I am not attempting to write the biography 
of this, the third generation. Many of them are young, and 
their biography must be written later. I am noting the 
things of special interest only: but Nita’s beautiful life has 
ended: her personal work on Earth is done, and from what 
I have gathered from different sources, she deserves more 
than a passing notice. 

She was born Jan. 21st, 1890 at Sundance, Wyo. and 
on the 8th of May, 1909, at Bolckow Mo. she passed from the 
shadowy pathway of this life to the resplendent glory of 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


43 


her risen Lord, and like Able, she “being dead yet speaketh”. 
Heb. 11 4. 

She was a rare flower, one of the Lord’s jewels Mai. 3-17. 
It has always seemed to me that there are a few people born 
into this world who do not belong here. The sins, suffering 
and sorrows which they must witness on every side, are so 
shocking to their sensitive nature, that the strain is too great 
for their delicate structure. Their daily longing for some¬ 
thing higher, nobler and purer, added to the sufferings of 
those they love, so prey upon their feelings, that their delicate 
power begins to fade, and their physical being gradually gives 
way, and their spirit-filled souls, like their risen Lord, ascends 
to be with Him who gave them the beautiful life, and who in 
mercy transplants them in a purer clime. 

Such was Nita: reared among the beautiful and sublime 
sceneries of the western mountains, feasting her soul and 
eyes on the wonders of God: she beheld His handiwork in the 
rocks and the trees and flowers; in the valleys, hills and 
rivers, and she grew more and more in His gracious image. 

She was a natural artist, and loved to paint the beauties 
of nature. She had an ear for music, and loved her violin. 
In her afflictions she seemed to think but little of herself, 
but much for the comfort of her friends and kindred. In her 
sufferings, she was uncomplaining and cheerful; she was not 
alarmed at the approach of death: for her, “Death had lost 
its sting.” As her beautiful life was going out she said, 
“Papa, take care of mama”, and her frail little body was at 
rest. 

Her loving heart was still, and her smiling eyes were 
closed to those about her. 

She had given her life to God. Her church home was 
with the M. E. church at Spearfish, S. D. 

ERMA ZABRISKIE WOOD 

Erma Zabriskie, daughter of Wm. W. and Ermina Wood 
was born in Scandia Kansas, March 3d, 1895. 

She is a graduate of the State Normal School, Spearfish 


44 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


S. D., Gregg School, Chicago, Ill, and of the State University 
of Minnesota. 

She is a member of Delta Zeta fraternity of Minnesota. 
She has been successful in her work. During the war she 
held a position with the Butte County Bank, Belle Fourche 
S. D. and later taught in the Jefferson High School, LaFayette 
Ind. 

Erma has rare grace of mind and spirit. Of her it 
might truly be said— 

“None know her but to love her 
None name her but to praise”. 

BEULAH GRACE WOOD 

Beulah Grace, daughter of William W. and Ermina 
Young Wood, was born at Canon City, Colo., May 10th, 1998. 

She was educated at the State Normal School, Spearfish, 
S. D. and completed the business course at the Scientific 
Business College, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

She is winsome, a good entertainer and has a host of 
friends. Because of her happy smile and cherry disposition 
since her childhood, her father calls her “Sunshine” as she 
seems capable of bringing a ray of sunshine into the darkest 
corners. 

On December 27th, 1922 she was married to Dorsey 
Eugene Kinney, eldest son of H. A. Kinney of Kansas City, 
Kansas. During the war Mr. Kinney saw service as an 
aviator being a Lieutenant in that branch of the army and 
was stationed at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas. They 
are now living at Saint Paul, Minnesota where he is con¬ 
nected with the Broderick Co. 

RODNEY REXFORD WOOD 

Rodney Rexford, son of William W. and Ermina Wood, 
was born at Spearfish, S. D. July 9, 1908. At a little over 
12 years of age, he graduated from the Belle Fourche public 
school, receiving his diploma which enabled him to enter the 
high school, the following fall, or next school year. With one 
exception, he was the smallest and youngest in a large grad¬ 
uating class. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


45 


He is greatly interested in wireless, or the new radio 
discoveries, and thinks now, that he will take engineering 
in that branch of science. 

HARVEY EDGAR WOOD 

Harvey Edgar, son of Benjamin H. and Sarah Ann Wood 
was born March 2d, 1866. 

After his father’s death he made his home, for awhile 
with his uncle, J. S. F. Wood who was guardian for the child¬ 
ren. In the fall of the same year he went to Atchinson 
County to make his home with his aunt Sallie Carey. 3 years 
later he came back to Andrew Co. and stayed 3 years with 
Judge F. M. Wells near Bolckow. He then went to Rockport, 
Atchinson Co., where by working thru the summer season, 
and attending school in the winter season, he acquired a 
fairly good education. 

When he was 17 years old he worked his way from Mo. 
to Wyo. by walking and driving cattle during the day and 
doing his part of guard duty at night. They were 72 days 
on the road. He located a homestead in N. E. Wyo. and 
held it down till he was 21 and then filed on it and improved 
it. He also preempted another 160 acres. This made one 
of the best farms in that part of Wyo. Here in this new 
country he gained some notoriety as a hunter. I suppose the 
rest of us might attribute to him the honor of being the 
Nimrod of the connection—Gen. 10-9. He killed many deer 
and antelope and wolves; a few elk and moose, one mountain 
lion and one Canada Lynx. He got this fierce animal corner¬ 
ed and it made fight. Just as it was crouching for a spring 
he landed a revolver bullet between his eyes and the battle 
ended. 

He also had a hand to hand fight with a big horned buck, 
which he had wounded, he supposed mortally, but when he 
went in to cut his throat, the buck jumped to his feet and 
made at him, then the fight began. For awhile it was un¬ 
certain as to how the battle was going, but in the end, Harvey 
was the victor, with the loss of some blood and more cloth¬ 
ing. 

As a business man he has been engaged in various 


46 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


branches of business, with varied successes. In Wyo. he 
handled cattle and farmed. In connection with this he rode 
the range as cowboy for several years. He and his brother 

C. L. Wood built a store house near where Hulett now is, 
put in a general stock and kept the post office in that part 
of the country. For some reason this enterprise did not last 
long. They sold out their goods and tore down their build¬ 
ing. Soon after this he sold his farm to his uncle J. S. F. 
Wood and moved to Spearfish, S. D. and went into the lumber 
business running a saw and planing mill. After operating 
here for several years, he moved his outfit across the line 
into Wyo. and continued the lumber business 3 years more. 
He then sold his outfit and tried farming and stockraising. 

He then engaged in the milling business in Neb. He 
said he was soon convinced he was never intended for a miller 
—so he sold his mill property, and after a few more changes, 
is now located on a farm in southwest Mo. Doing well. 

On July 6tn; m Crook Co., Wyo. he was married to Dora 
Derrickson. She was a nice, goodlooking pleasant industrious 
woman, and proved herself a good wife and mother. Like 
many other women in those pioneer days, she knew how to 
handle a gun and was a fine marksman. 

She died at Spearfish, S. D. Sept. 12, 1903. 

To this union, two daughters were born, Viz—Careta M. 
and Aouida K. These girls were educated at Spearfish, S. 

D. where there is a state normal. 

Careta was born April 17, 1891. She married Mr. Rex 
Collins, 1914, a good thrifty man of Wyo. They have two 
children, Rex Walter, born May 5, 1916 and Wilkie Creigh, 
born April 11, 1921. 

They are living in Wyo. and doing well. 

Aouida was born April 15, 1894. She married Joseph 
Webster, July 15, 1916. He is one of the live men of Hulett 
and is associated with the Hulett State Bank, Hulett Wyo. 
Two children were born to them—Morris Edgar and Jamie 
Neil. 

Both of these girls were noted for their beauty. 

April 27th, 1904 Harvey was married the 2d time to Miss 
Violet Blake. She was a business woman and proved to be 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


47 


a great help in the financial affairs. She was industrious, 
economical, loving and affectionate, a good wife and mother. 

To this union were/orn four children Viz—Guendolyn, 
Gaylen H., Orton Keith and Harry Even. 

Guendolyn was born Feb. 2d. 1906, died July 13, 1908 
Gaylen H. was born March 6th, 1908. He is still with his 
parents. Orton Keith was born May 12 1910. He is with 
his parents. 

Harry Even was born Dec. 8, 1911. He died Nov. 

30, 1915. 

While living in Neb. Harvey and Violet were happily con¬ 
verted to Christ and united with the M. E. Church and are 
enjoying the hope of the endless life. 

C. L. WOOD 

Charles Lee, son of Benjamin H. and Sarah Ann Wood, 
was born May 3d, 1868 in Andrew Co., Mo. 

When about 4 years old he was left an orphan. After 
this he made his home with his aunt Mary Dearing near 
Barnard Mo., till about 18 years of age. He then went to 
Western Kans., worked a few months in a general store 
then went to Deadwood, S. D.—worked a few months on a 
farm near Deadwood. From there to Crook Co., Wyo. where 
he located a homestead and held it down till he was old 
enough to file on it. Of course any one could have taken 
it from him before he was 21, but land was plentiful then, 
and the man who would treat a boy that way would be 
highly censured, and the laws of the cowboys might have 
sentenced him to eternal banishment. 

While not working on his homestead, he rode the range 
as cow boy about 15 years. During this time he gathered 
more land and a nice bunch of cattle. In 1902 he became 
a partner with Henry G. Weare, one of the leading cattle men 
of the country. In 1903 they engaged in the Mercantile 
business at Alzada Mont, in connection with their cattle in¬ 
terests. 

C. L. became manager of the store and the Alzada post 
office. After a few years run they sold their stock of goods. 
C. L. at this time is running a lumberyard at Alzada. He 


48 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


is still in the cattle business and owns about 4,000 acres of 
land. 

In 1891 he and his brother Harvey started a general store 
near where the village of Hulett is now located, of which I 
have spoken before. 

In 1913 he was elected county commissioner of Fallen 
Co. for the 6 year term. This was a new county. He helped 
organize it. 

He took an active part in the home work of helping to 
win the war against Germany. He served on the advisory 
board of the council of defense. Also many other places 
of trust and honor, taking an active part in the stamp and 
bond drives. 

In a letter to me at the close of the war he said— 
‘‘Uncle I am not blood thirsty, but if I had been young and 
strong, I am quite sure I would have been among the volun¬ 
teers to go over there and help Uncle Sam curry those Dutch 
rascals.” He has been a very useful citizen, ever ready to 
help in every worthy enterprise, whether religous, benevo¬ 
lent, or educational. He possessed many of the qualities 
which help make the true man; temporate, honest, benevo¬ 
lent, willing to give a man a square deal, reliable, truthful 
and kind. He was a hard worker, had great powers of en¬ 
durance. After working hard all day, would often work till 
late at night. Under all the pressure of business and hard 
work, he never forgot his aunt Mary Dearing who became a 
mother to him after his own mother was gone. 

Altho she lived in Mo. and he in Wyo. he often visited 
her and made her many valuable presents, and when she 
died at the age of 90 1 /i years he went back and helped take 
her remains to Kingfisher where she was buried. 

Sept. 19th, 1906 he was married to Miss Leona Zimmer¬ 
man of Montana. Before marriage she had a bunch of 
cattle and was taking care of them. She proved to be a help¬ 
mate in the true sense of the word. She is a business woman, 
able and willing to help in any part of the business—whether 
it is rounding up cattle, working in the store or post office, 
washing, mending or making clothes, putting up a good meal, 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


49 


or most anything that is necessary to be done about the 
place. 

She is a good wife and mother. At this writing they are 
running a lumberyard at Alzada Mont, in connection with 
their land and cattle interests. 

To this union, two children were born, Viz—Alvin Lee 
and Genevieve. 


ALVIN LEE WOOD 

Alvin Lee, son of C. L. and Leona Wood, was born May 
28, 1908 at Alzada, Mont. He is attending the schools at 
Alzada and making good progress. If he does not make a 
successful business man, he will not be walking in the foot¬ 
steps of his parents. 

GENEVIEVE WOOD 

Genevieve, daughter of C. L. and Leona Wood was born 
December 2d, 1913 at Alzada. She is in the Alzada schools. 

CONTRIBUTED 

It may be of interest to Alvin and Genevieve to see 
their “Dad” as others used to see him when he was a little 
boy. 

On one occasion, after he had taken a few lessons at 
school, and before his small brother A1 had gone to school, C. 
L. attempted to give his little brother a lesson in the alphabet. 

C. L. had a pronounced impediment in his speech when 
small, in the way of a lisp. He would always sound C “th” 
as in thought, so when he tried to say C he would say thee. 

The lesson began thus— 

C. L.: Say “A” 

Al: A. 

C. L.: B 

Al: B. 

C. L.: “Thee”. 

Al: “Thee”. 

C. L.: No its “Thee”. 

Al: “Thee”. 

C. L.: No, you darn little fool it aint “Thee” its “Thee”. 


50 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


ALLIE ARTHUR WOOD 

Allie Arthur, son of Benjamin H. and Sarah Ann Wood 
was born Aug. 7, 1870, near Whitesville, in Andrew Co., Mo. 
I have not been able to get the exact date of his mother’s 
death, but it was when he was a little child. I will let him 
have the privilege of expressing his feeling in his own lan¬ 
guage as he looks back over nearly 50 years of his past life. 
It is an extract from a letter recently received from him, 
in which he says— 

“With reverence I mention my dear father and mother, 
whom I never knew—they having passed away, before I 
could remember. 

I have never heard an unkind word spoken of them, but 
have had many tell me of their standing in the neighborhood 
where they lived. 

They were devoted Christians, loyal to their church. 

I have missed them, though this may seem strange to 
those who never had such an experience—nevertheless, it 
is a fact. I never knew I was missing them till long years 
after—I knew of course, after I was old enough to know, 
that my parents were gone. But now I can realize that there 
has always existed a vacancy in my life—that of a mother. 
But that vacancy was filled, as much as it is possible to fill 
it, by the devotion of another loving expression of God’s 
idea, in my dear aunt Mary Dearing, who took me to her heart 
and home. I can now realize something of the care, toil, and 
devotion she gave me in my time of need, and how fortunate 
I am to have been reared in the home of one who knew how 
to be a mother. I speak of her with reverence, as I think 
what she has been to me in life. 

I guess the object nearest my heart in my early life was 
my brother, (Reference to C. L. Wood) as we grew to man¬ 
hood on the Dearing farm, separated from the other members 
of the family. I saw but little of them, and clung to the 
one that was with me. 

There were also the members of the Dearing Family, who 
were like brothers and sisters to me and whose memory is 
still sacred.” 



THE WOOD FAMILY 


51 


_ n 

The above extract is the outbreathings of one who feels 
the loss of a mother’s love and a father’s care and instruc¬ 
tion, and the home circle which most of us look back to with 
joy and gladness. 

I want to add to what he said of his aunt Mary and the 
Dearing home, that to my personal knowledge, he tried in 
many ways to express his gratitude for the kindness shown 
him in this home, as long as his aunt lived. 

As a business man, he has had experiences in various 
branches of business. He has worked as cowboy on the 
ranges of Wyo. and Mont. He has been in the mercantile 
business in different places. He has been .postmaster, travel¬ 
ing agent, real estate man, engineer on a locomotive, miner, 
in the restaurant business at Barnard, and other things too 
numerous to mention. Possibly the most successful business 
has been as painter and contractor at Colorado Springs where 
he has been doing a thriving business. He ran in the great 
race for a homestead in Oklahoma when the Cheyenne and 
Arapoho reservations came in for settlement. He was suc¬ 
cessful. He lived awhile at Galveston Tex. where he owned 
property which was swept away by the great flood. 

He was married to Miss Nannie Eastman, Nov. 8, 1894. 
She is a good woman with many virtues and noble traits of 
character which eminently fits her for a wife and mother. 

Allie is a good man with an even temper, a kind loving 
disposition. These characteristics enable them to keep a 
happy home which is one of the greatest blessings of this 
World. 

To this union, three children were born, Viz Arthur 
Eastman, Adelia Maxine and Russell Dearing. 

ARTHUR EASTMAN WOOD 

Arthur Eastman, son of A. A. and Nannie Wood was 
born Nov 2, 1896 at Barnard Mo. He graduated from the 
Colo. Springs High School in 1915, taught school till 1916 
then enlisted in the U. S. Service. He was consigned to Co. 
F. 5th engineers. He was transferred to the Texas Border at 
Brownsville, then to Corpus Christi, then France. He reach- 


52 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


ed the rank of sergeant, was at the front when the armistice 
was signed. 

He was married to Miss Mary Louise Fields at Corpus 
Christi July 5th 1917—returned to the U. S. on the famous 
George Washington with president Wilson. 

ADELIA MAXINE WOOD 

Adelia Maxine was born May 9th 1901 at Barnard Mo. 
She passed away in her 6th year. 

Here again I will let the father use his own words in des¬ 
cribing this sad bereavement. He said— “Our little Adelia 
passed on in her 6th year, as a flower withers. This was for 
the time being the end of all happiness—and all the past 
seemed as mockery. Now I know she still lives, and seems 
only separated from us, and in the awakening all will be made 
clear again, even as it is clear beyond the clouds where there 
can be not even a shadow, but one glorious perpetual harmon¬ 
ious day.” 

RUSSELL DEARING WOOD 

Russell Dearing, son of A. A. and Nannie Wood was born 
Jan 23d, 1905 at Colorado Springs, Colo. He is now in the 
high school and is making fine progress. At the same time 
he has a good position with one of the leading firms of the 
city. 

During the World War, he was too young for service, but 
did what he could in other ways, thus helping to win the war. 

Religiously, the father, mother and the boys are Christ¬ 
ian Scientists and much devoted to the cause. Their home 
is in Colo. Springs Colo. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


53 


CHAPTER X. 

NANCY SUSANNAH WOOD BEAR AND FAMILY 

Nancy Susannah, daughter of William F and Barbara 
Wood was born Jan. 14, 1829 in Page Co. Va. 

She was the smallest one of the family, weighing pro¬ 
bably 120 pounds. She was handsome, possibly the prettiest 
of the family, well formed, round rosy cheeks, deep brown 
eyes, dark brown hair, making a beautiful little woman. 
She was probably the most timid and reserved of the family. 
She had a great loving heart, always ready to deny herself 
to make others happy. She seemed to esteem others above 
herself. 

After she had a home of her own, she seemed to feel that 
she was highly favored and honored when her friends and 
kindred visited her. The best she had was not good enough 
for them. 

While raising her large family, she worked very hard to 
keep her children comfortably and respectably clad. They 
were in a new country where people had but few conveniences. 

She never united with any church. She had high ideals 
of the Christian life and always felt her unworthiness to be 
a member. 

She was humble and contrite in spirit. She was the 
only one of the family who was not a church member. Her 
lack of opportunities may have kept her out. I always felt 
that she was as good as any of us. We have many reasons 
to believe that she was a child of God, washed in the blood 
of the Lamb, and is now in glory, waiting to give us a wel¬ 
come. 

However I am persuaded that she would have been much 
happier, and enjoyed life more, if she had been associated 
with God’s people in church relations. 

She was married April 3d, 1849, to Samuel K. Bear, in 
Cooper Co., Mo. 

Samuel K. Bear was a native of Va. His people owned 
slaves in Va. and Mo. When he was a young man he 
freighted a while across the plains between the Mo. River and 


54 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


the western mountains. At that time hostile Indians roved 
over these plains and were sometimes troublesome. For that 
reason it was necessary for several men to be in the outfit. 

After marriage they lived in Cooper Co. till the spring 
of 1851 when they moved to Andrew Co., Mo. They lived in 
this Co. for 5 years, he then bought land in Nodaway Co. 
He improved this land, making them a good home. He had 
gathered considerable stock and property, but during the 
Civil War, he sustained heavy losses. Leaving* his home in 
1868 he moved to Cooper Co. and remained there about 5 
years and then came back to the old farm in Nodaway Co. 
and spent the remainder of his days there. 

After his death, his widow made her home with her 
children, and died at the home of her daughter Mrs. Mary 
Cox, Sept. 12, 1887 in Howell Co., Mo. 

To this union were born ten children, Viz— Barbara 
Jane, William Henry, Charles Lee, Mary Catherine, Sarah 
Elizabeth, Emma Susan, Cornelia Frances, Isabel, Martha 
Delilah and Laura. 

BARBARA JANE BEAR 

Barbara Jane, daughter of Samuel K. and Nancy S. 
Bear was born March 23, 1850 in Cooper Co., Mo. Came with 
her parents to Andrew Co., Mo. in 1851. About 5 years 
later went with her parents to Nodaway Co. 

While in Cooper Co. the 2d time with her parents she 
married Butler Clawson, who had recently come from Ky. 
where he was born, May 27, 1850. They moved to Nodaway 
Co., 1873, where they are still living. The most of this time 
has been spent in Barnard where he worked at his trade 
as harness maker, but occasionally farmed and was in a 
store a few years. 

They united with the Baptist Church in Barnard early 
in life. After a few years the Baptist church there dissolved 
and Mr. Clawson united with the M. E. Church, but she 
is still identified with the Baptist. 

She, like her mother was kind and open-hearted. Al¬ 
ways had a hearty welcome for her friends and kindred. She 
seemed to think what she had was not good enough for them, 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


55 


was devoted to her children. It may be said she gave her 
life to them, trying to make them happy. 


To them were born 8 children Viz— Pleasant Lee, Nancy 
A., Martha J., Edgar, Bertha, Alva, Ovo and Ola—twins. 

All born in Nodaway Co., Mo. , , , f 

Mrs.tlavim Aid SaZnU.iA* 

PLEASANT LEE CLAWSON 


Pleasant Lee, son of Butler and Barbara Jane Clawson 
was born Dec. 11, 1875. He married Miss Anna Luker July 
19, 1905. They had a son Maurice, born Oct. 11, 1908. 


Pleasant Lee died Jan. 10, 1919. His wife Anna died 
May 20, 1917. He commenced business for himself early in 
life and made good. Served for a number of years as mail 
clerk for the B. & M. R. R. 


NANCY A. CLAWSON 

Nancy A. Clawson was born Mar. 16, 1877. She married 
Charles Des Mond, Aug. 21st, 1894. She died Jan. 18, 1904. 
One daughter, Cora Ophal was born to this union. 


MARTHA J. CLAWSON 

Martha J. Clawson was born April 24, 1879. She married 
Theo. Shaver, Dec. 15, 1901. She died Oct. 22d, 1902. 

EDGAR CLAWSON 

Edgar Clawson was born Sept. 10, 1881. He married 
Miss Belle Green of Nodaway Co., Dec. 19, 1906. 


BERTHA CLAWSON 

Bertha Clawson was born Dec. 31st, 1885 at Barnard, Mo. 
Married E. M. Terhune Mar. 22d, 1910. 

She was educated in Barnard Mo. When about 19 she 
began work as 1st assistant in the Barnard post office. Was 
there 3 years, then came to Spearfish, S. D. then to Hulett, 
Wyo. In 1908 she helped start a P. O. at Goldie, Wyo. Was 
there 6 months then the Terhune P. O. was started in their 
home and she was P. M. till 1919 when a new route was 
established. 


56 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


She is now Sec. & treas. of the Hulett-Alzada Telephone 
line. She has charge of the telephone switch. She is indus¬ 
trious, economical, a good wife and mother. Her husband 
is industrious. They have a good home and are doing well. 
They have three children, Viz— Jesse born April 17, 1911, 
Albert, born, Oct. 2, 1914 and Barbara, born Nov. 1st, 1919. 

OVA CLAWSON 

Ova Clawson was born Feb. 2d, 1891. He enlisted in the 
U. S. Service May 30th, 1917, and was discharged at camp 
Pike, Ark. Most of his time in the service was spent on the 
Mexican border. 


OLA CLAWSON 

Ola Clawson was born Feb. 2d, 1891. She married F. C. 
Ware, May 16, 1915. 

WILLIAM HENRY BEAR 

William Henry, son of Samuel K. and Nancy S. Bear, 
was born May 15, 1852. Died April 20, 1869. He was a good 
industrious boy. A great help to his parents. It was a 
crushing blow to them, when their hopes were so early 
buried. 


CHARLES LEE BEAR 

Charles Lee, son of S. K. and N. S. Bear, was born Oct. 
18, 1853. He grew to manhood on the old homestead neat* 
Barnard, Mo. He married Miss Nannie Lane Nov. 6, 1881. 
She was born in Va. April 19, 1861. She proved to be a true 
helpmate, industrious, economical and kind, a good loving 
wife and mother. They bought out some of the other heirs 
and lived on the old farm till 1902, when they moved to 
Spearfish, S. D., and later to Crook Co., Wyo.. where they 
located a homestead west of the Bear Lodge Mountains where 
they are still living. He has added other lands to their home¬ 
stead and has a nice farm and is doing well. 

He is a plain honorable man, upright in his dealings. 
He like his mother, seems to consider the comforts of others 
before his own. 

Their doors are wide open to their friends and kindred 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


57 


They and three of their children professed faith i i 
Christ, and were baptised into the fellowship of the Beaver 
Creek Baptist church, sometime during the year 1904. 

Their children are all settled in Crook Co., and are 
respected citizens. All have farms of their own except two. 
How thankful parents can be when they have been able to 
raise up a family to be respected and have them all settled 
around them and have the old home for a gathering place 
for the children. 

The reader will excuse me for becoming a little familiar, 
and saying to these dear old parents, God bless you, and 
permit you to live long in the midst of your children, and then 
gather them home, an unbroken family, in the eternal king¬ 
dom of God. 

To this union were born 10 children, Viz— Henry Irving, 
Ida Myrtle, Maud Elsie, Margie Mable, Clarance Lee, Laura 
Ida, Mattie Ruth, Alfred Clifford, Ethel Irene, and Baby Roy. 
Ethel Irene and Baby Roy died in infancy. 

HENRY IRVING BEAR 

Henry Irving was born Aug. 10, 1882 in Nodaway Co., 
Mo., there grew to manhood. He came to Wyo. with his 
parents and proved up on a homestead but sold it. He was 
married April 10, 1916 to Miss Delia Whiting. She died 
leaving an infant daughter named Jewell. Jewell is now three 
years old, and is tenderly cared for by her aunt Myrtle. 

IDA MYRTLE BEAR 

Ida Myrtle was born Aug. 21, 1884 in Nodaway Co., Mo., 
and grew to womanhood there—came to Wyo. with her 
parents. She was married Jan. 11, 1904 to Stephen A. 
Mahoney of Crook Co., Wyo. (the writer performing the 
ceremony). They have a good home on his homestead and 
are doing nicely. At the death of Irvings wife they took 
the little motherless child 7 days old and gave it a home, 
and so far as is possible, have become a father and a mother 
to it. 





58 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


Mrytle is a member of the Baptist church, and is living 
a consistent Christian life. She is not strong, but is grow¬ 
ing in usefulness. 

She has a loving heart. They have one son, Lowell. 

After the death of his father, Hiram Mahoney, Steven 
moved to his father’s old homestead where he now lives. 
This since the above was written. 

MAUD ELSIE BEAR 

Maude Elsie was born Sept. 30, 1886 in Kansas. She 
married Elbert Dorsett, Oct. 10, 1908. The writer perform¬ 
ing the ceremony. They are living on his homestead and 
doing well. They have one son Ray. Maude is a member of 
the Baptist church and is a good woman and has a good 
husband. 

* V «. 

MARGIE MAYBELL BEAR 

Margie Maybell, was born Sept. 4th, 1888 in Kansas. 
She married Johnie Cochrun, May 17, 1908, the writer per¬ 
forming the ceremony. He located a homestead but sold 
it later. They are still in the old neighborhood. 

She united with the Baptist church at Alva, Wyo. where 
she still holds her membership. 

CLARANCE LEE BEAR 

Clarance Lee was born Sept. 25th, 1890 in Mo. Married 
Miriam Bay Dec. 29th, 1915. He has homesteaded a tract 
of land and still lives on it. They are doing well. 

LAURA ADA BEAR 

Laura Ada was born Oct. 13th, 1894 in Mo. She married 
Thomas Durham June 27th, 1917. They are living on his 
homestead. 

MATTIE RUTH BEAR 

Mattie Ruth was born Sept. 2d, 1896 in Mo. She married 
Guy Seeley Dec. 5th, 1916. They are living on his homestead. 

Before marriage, she taught school. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


59 


ALFRED CLIFFORD BEAR 

Alfred Clifford was born May 19, 1898 in Mo. Is un¬ 
married. Has bought a farm and is living on it not far from 
Hulett, Wyo. 

MARY CATHERINE BEAR 

Mary Catherine, daughter of Samuel K. and Nancy S. 
Bear was born May 15th, 1855 in Nodaway Co., Mo., where 
she grew to womanhood. April 11, 1875 she was married 
to Theodore Cox. He was born in Platt Co., Mo. Mar. 6th, 
1844. He was a farmer and lived in different places. A 
while in Nodaway Co., Mo. A while in Holt Co., Neb., where 
he homesteaded land, then in Howell Co., Mo. They are now 
at Zuma, Colo. 

He was a soldier in the Civil War. 

Mary was a good wife and mother and did what she 
could to make her children comfortable and happy. 

Further information says—Theodore Cox served in 
U. S. Service 3 years and 6 months during the Civil war. 
Two years in cavalry, on year in artillery and 6 months in 
scouting among the indians. 

Mary says she never knew anything but hard work. 
Six children were born to them Viz—Joseph Samuel, Charles 
Ova, Thomas Frederick, Susan Ann, Mollie Pearl and John S. 

Joseph Samuel was born Sept. 30th 1876 in Nodaway 
Co. Mo. He died in Aug. 1877. 

Charles Ova was born July 19th, 1878 in Nodaway Co. 
Mo. He died March 17, 1887. 

Thomas Frederick was born May 5th, 1880. 

Susie Ann was born June 10th, 1882 in Neb. She 
died Feb. 15th, 1901. 

Mollie Perl was born April 3rd, 1885 in Holt Co., Mo. 

SARAH ELIZABETH BEAR 

Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel K and Nacy 
S. Bear was born Aug. 7th, 1857 in Nodaway Co., Mo. Here 
she grew to womanhood. 

She was a plain humble conscientious woman, willing to 
bear the burdens and hardships of life for her family. She 


60 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


CL 


went with her sister Mrs. Cox and family to Neb. and filed 
on a homestead near O’Neal. She lived on it 3 years and 
then abandoned it and went to Kansas but soon returned to 
the old home in Mo. 

After the estate was divided, she and her sister Cornelia 
built a house and lived together. A cyclone struck their home 
and blew away the house and about all that was in it, and 
almost drowned them. Otherwise they were not hurt much. 
She then built a house in a different place, where she still 
lives. 

Oct. 14th, 1877 she was married to Samuel H. Mdffitt in 
Nodaway Co., Mo., the writer performing the ceremony. To 
them were born 4 children, Viz— Frank Wesley, John William, 
Isaac and Walter Lee. 

Frank Wesley was born July 21, 1878, married Miss Anna 
Wear. He was a farmer in Mo. He is still living in the 
old neighborhood. 

John William was born July 3d, 1879. Died April 27, 


1903. 

Isaac was born Aug. 11, 1880. Died Nov. 8th, 1880. 
Walter Lee was born Oct. 19th, 1881. 

All the children were born in Mo. 

Hr <UcA , Mo 

EMMA SUSAN BEAR 




V 


Emma Susan, daughter of Samuel K. and Nancy S. Bear, 
$77 was^ born Jan. 22d, 1860, in Nodaway Co., Mo. On March 
4th, 4£87 she was married to Andrew Willis Hurt. He was 
born in Page Co., Va. Aug. 2d, 1850. He is a farmer and 
has succeeded in his business. They have lived, and are still 
living in Cooper Co., Mo. 

Emma was a good girl and has made a good wife and 
mother. As husband and wife working together, they have 
been able to build a home for themselves, and their children 
There is a difference between building houses and building 
homes. In this home a family of children has been raised 
for usefulness, that the world may be made better by their 
having lived in it. 

This is saying much for father and mother. It is some¬ 
thing to be thankful for. 



THE WOOD FAMILY 


61 


To the above union 4 children were born, Viz— 

Minnie Belle, Alva Willis, Emma Alvinie, and Clarance 
Lee—all born in Cooper Co., Mo. 

Minie Belle was born August 3d, 1879. She graduated 
in the public school and in music at Boonville Mo. On Nov. 
28, 1900 she was married to Harry Kerchner. They are both 
members of the presbyterian church. They have three child¬ 
ren, all in school and making fine progress. 

ALVA WILLIS HURT 

Alva Willis, son of A. W. and E. S. Hurt was born Mar. 
30, 1882. After going thru the public schools, he graduated 
from the Gem City Business College, Quincy, Ill. and Wash¬ 
ington University, St. Louis Mo. and Benton College of Law, 
St. Louis Mo. Received the degree of Master of Laws con¬ 
ferred by Washington University and the degree of Bachelor 
of Laws by Benton College of Laws. 

He was Lieut, in the World War, was assigned camp as 
instructor. 

He is a member of the following orders.— St. Louis Bar 
Assn. Mo., American Bar Assn., Quinton Roosevelt 
Post American Legion, Mystic Order Veiled Prophets, of the 
Enchanted Realm; Itaska Lodge No. 420, Ancient Free and 
Accepted Masons and Hiram Council No. 1, Royal and 
Selected Masters. Is master 1st Veil Mo. chapter No. 1 Royal 
Arch Masons and Senior Warden Ascalon Commanding No. 
16 K. T. 

He is Atty. at law, holding the following positions.— 
First Asst. Gen. Atty. United Ry. Co., St. Louis, Mo., General 
Counsel United Railways Savings and Loan Assn. St. Louis, 
Mo., Vice President and Counsel, Civic Publishing Co. of St. 
Louis Mo. 

Sept. 17, 1919 he was married to Miss Charlotte C. 
Armstrong of Marissa, Ill. Now located in St. Louis. 

Emma Alvine Hurt was born Feb. 9th, 1884. Educated 
in the common schools of Cooper Co. Is a member of Boon¬ 
ville Camp 5203 Royal Neighbors of America, and has filled 
the office of treasurer since 1909. 


62 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


She was married to Charles F. Kalb April 26, 1905. He 
is a carpenter and builder. 

This family is associated with the M. E. Church at Boone- 
ville Mo. The children are making fine progress in the Boone- 
ville schools, the oldest having graduated from the 8th. grade, 
is now in high school. 

They are located at Booneville. 

Clarance Lee Hurt was born May 8, 1888. After finish¬ 
ing the common school course, he spent one year in the higher 
branches, and then attended the state normal at Warrens- 
burg, Mo. Taught a district school 1906-7. In Jan. 1908 
he took examination for post office civil service, receiving 
highest grade. In May 1908 he was appointed substitute 
letter carrier for the city of Boonville. On Aug. 1st, 1910, 
received appointment as regular mail carrier. He was excus¬ 
ed from army service, because his services were needed in 
the P. O. Department. 

He is a member of Cooper Lodge No. 36 A. F. & A. M. of 
Boonville an dhas reached the degree W. M. Also a member 
of R. A. M. and is High Priest of Boonville Chapter No. 
60. Also an officer Olivet Commandery No. 53 K. T. 

On May 22, 1912, he was married to Lula Anna Blanck. 
Their home is in Boonville. 

Benjamin Alfred died in infancy. 

CORNELIA FRANCIS BEAR 

Cornelia Francis, daughter of Samuel K. and Nancy S. 
Bear was born Jan. 24, 1863 in Nodaway Co., Mo., where she 
grew to womanhood. 

She went with her sister Mary Cox to Neb. and filed on 
a homestead near O’Neal, but never proved up on it. While 
there she was married Mar. 28th, 1886 to William Albert 
Morphew. He died Mar. 10, 1917 at Sacramento Calif. 

She was with her sister Sarah in a house on the old 
Bear farm when a cyclone, of which I have spoken, destroyed 
the house and its contents. She has made many moves and 
is now located at Gallup, N. M. She and her son Charles W. 
are running a ranch near Gallup. In a recent letter she says, 
“To tell my life experience, I would need the pen of a Harriet 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


63 


Beecher Stowe”. She and her boys belong to the “Do-Right” 
church. 

It seems that she was unfortunate in marriage and has 
had to support the family till the boys were old enough to 
help. 

To this union, two children were born, Viz.— Benjamin 
Franklin and Charles William. 

Benjamin F. was born Mar. 6th, 1887 in Howell Co., Mo. 
Oct 10th, 1915 he was married to Miss Lula Catharine Bryant 
at Arkansas City, Kans. v 

Charles William was born Oct. 12th, 1889 at Centralia, 
Kans. He is unmarried and living with his mother in N. M. 

MARTHA DELILAH BEAR 

Martha D. daughter of Samuel K. and Nancy S. Bear was 
born May 7, 1865 in Cooper Co. Mo. where the family had 
gone in 1863 on acount of unsettled conditions of political 
affairs in north west Mo. But they soon moved back to the 
old home to Nodaway Co., where Mattie grew to womanhood, 
and where she was married Feb. 25th, 1883, to John Vincent 
Smith. 

He was born Feb. 13th, 1859 in St. Joseph, Mo. He was 
a good man, of excellent habits, chaste in his language, indus¬ 
trious and honorable, making a good husband. After marri¬ 
age he farmed 6 years—one year in Mo. and 5 years in Kans. 
Then returned and worked at the carpenter trade in north¬ 
west Mo. One year at Maitland, 6 at Tarkio. 

In 1896 they moved to Wyo. and filed on a homestead 
in Crook Co. and for 4 years lived on the homestead in the 
winters and in the summer months they lived at Spearfish 
where he worked at his trade. 

Later he exchanged his homestead for another tract of 
land and added to it till he had about 400 acres. This he im¬ 
proved and farmed and handled stock and was doing well 
when his health failed and he was compelled to quit work. 

In 1912 they came to southern Calif, and spent the 
winter. Next spring to Spearfish, that fall to southern Mo. 
He underwent an operation which restored his health suffici¬ 
ently to enable him to return to work. 


64 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


In 1915 we find them again in southern Calif, located in 
Santa Ana. The first year they kept house for her cousin 
Wayland Wood who had lost his wife. From that time, he 
has been able to work, and is back at his old trade carpenter¬ 
ing. He exchanged his interests in Wyo. for interest in 
Calif. They are now pleasantly situated in Santa Ana and 
are doing well. 

Mattie has made a good wife. Industrious, economical, 
a good cook and a good housekeeper. She takes pride in 
fixing up her home and in keeping it in order. 

After she had been married about 5 years she went 
to Centralia high school for 9 months. And 2 years later 
she attended the Tarkio M. high school 1 year. I think 
this deserves a notice. Not many will go to school after 
marriage. One other incident, I feel I must notice here, 
if for no other reason, for my own conscience sake. It may 
not be of much interest to others but it means much to us. 
When our son Jay died and we were in the deepest sorrow of 
our life, Mattie left her own home and staid a few days with 
us, helping and comforting. “A friend in need is a friend 
indeed”. Such deeds cannot be rewarded on Earth, but they 
may be written in the great book of rewards. 

There were no children born to this union, but after 
the death of her mother, they took Laura, the youngest of 
the Bear family into their home and helped educate her, 
and she was married from their home in Tarkio Mo. 

John and Mattie Smith were members of the M. E. 
Church. 


LAURA BEAR 

Laura, daughter of Samuel K. and Nancy S. Bear was 
born in Nodaway Co., Mo. March 4, 1870. She was about 17 
years old when her mother died. From the time she was 
14 till she was married, she made her home with her sister 
Mattie Smith. Much of this time was spent going to school. 
While in Kansas she attended the common schools, sometimes 
walking 3 miles. Two winters she came back to Barnard, Mo. 
and attended the high school there. She also attended the 
school at Maitland and at Tarkio. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


65 


She was a bright intelligent girl, thirsting for an educa¬ 
tion, and for knowledge. When about 13 years old she united 
with the Baptist Church at Barnard, Mo. and was baptized 
by the writer. She is still living a consistent Christian life, 
and has proven herself a good wife and mother. 

She was married Feb. 25th, 1892 to James Clifford 
Robinson of Maitland, while living at Tarkio. He was born 
July 31, 1869 near Kingston, Ind. He is a good Christian 
man, industrious in his business. 

They lived at Maitland, Mo. about 5 years then moved 
to Crook Co., Wyo. and filed on a homestead. After proving 
up on it, he traded it for 15 acres in Spearfish, S. D. Here 
he followed gardening a few years. 

He also served as janitor at the state normal at Spear¬ 
fish. 

He was raised a Presbyterian, but when they came to 
Wyo. there was no church of that order there, so he, with his 
wife came into the Baptist church at Alva. 

He now owns a farm east of Spearfish, S. D. and is 
farming. 

He is of a happy and cheerful disposition, and has a way 
of making those about him happy. 

They have been able, thru the blessings of God to make 
a home for their children. Happy should those parents be, 
who have built a home that will ever be a sacred spot in the 
minds of their children. 

Home is what we make it. 

To this union were born 3 children Viz— Mary Catharine, 
Roger Raymond and Hellen Donnell. 

MARY CATHARINE ROBINSON 

Mary Catharine was born March 23d, 1900 in Spearfish, 
S. D. 

Graduated from Spearfish Normal training school in 
1915. Took 3 years high school work and then went to Rapid 
City, M. E. hospital to take nurse training. 

In 1920 she went to Mitchell, S. D., to the Methodist state 
hospital where she graduated June (1922). 


66 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


ROGER RAYMOND ROBINSON 

Roger Raymond was born 8th, 1912 at Spearfish, S. D. 
He is now in school. 

Hellen Donnell was born July 14, 1913 at Spearfish, S. 
D. She is now in school. 

HENRY W. ROBINSON 

In addition to the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Robinson, there is an adopted son, Henry W. Robinson, born 
in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 20th, 1854^ His parents were 
Reinholdt and Lena Wonderling. JTJV 'filet j'^Q 

When about 11 years old he was sent west with a car¬ 
load of children by the Children’s Aid Society of Brooklyn. 
While the car was in N. W. Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson went 
into the car and selected this boy and adopted him as their 
son. From then he became Henry W. Robinson. 

He graduated from the state normal at Spearfish, S. D. 
He then taught two years in S. D. and then two years as 
principal in the high school at Carbondale, Colo. He ahso 
attended the university of Colo. 

While teaching at Carbondale he found his wife, Miss 
Julia Catherine White, one of the teachers of the Carbondale 
school. He is now in a wholesale produce store with J. E. 
White, his wife’s father. 

In a letter from him recently he said, “My appreciation 
for the way I was raised by my adopted parents can best 
be expressed by the fact that I am living true to their 
teachings, and I am trying to not bring any reproach down 
upon their good name’’. Henry has certainly made good and 
is an honor to his parents. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


67 


CHAPTER XI. 

BARBARA FRANCIS WOOD BOWMAN 

Barbara Francis, daughter of William F. and Barbara 
Wood was born Feb. 13, 1831 in Page Co., Va. 

She was not tall, probably a little below the medium, just 
fleshy enough to make her look pretty, weighing possibly 
i50 pounds. Her eyes and hair were nearly black, her cheeks 
round and rosy. She was cheerful, happy and independent, 
scattering joy and sunshine everywhere—a favorite among 
the young people. 

She was one of the first to be converted to Christ and 
unite with the church. This was when she was about 21, 
she united with the Baptist church at Union Grove, Mo. 

She lived a devoted Christian life. Her husband’s 
brother, who knew her all through her married life said to 
me the other day, when speaking of her, “She was the 
most patient woman I ever saw. If there ever was a Christian, 
she was one”. She was a neat housekeeper—she gave her 
life for her children. 

She was married Mar. 4, 1852 to Benjamin Franklin 
Bowman. He was born Dec. 13, 1831 in Ky. son of Casper 
and Mary Bowman of Ky. 

He united with the Baptist church the same time his 
wife did. He was a farmer, honest, temperate, a good worker 
and provided well for his family. He never accumulated 
much property, but thru industry and economy, they were 
able to have the necessaries of life and to live in comfort. 

On Sept. 10, 1863, after a short sickness, the wife and 
mother was transported from this world of pain and sorrow to 
the realms of rest and peace and joy, to be with her dear 
Savior, whom she loved and delighted to honor. What un¬ 
earthly bliss fill and thrill a sperit like hers—fitted 
for heavens light and joy and love. 

She was the first one of our fathers family to be called 
away. After her death, the father managed to keep the 
family together, except the youngest, an infant son, who 
was taken into the home of his uncle, Wm. H. Wood and 


68 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


raised to manhood. The father lived to see all his children 
married and doing well. 

He served in the Civil war and died at the ripe old age 
of 85. 

To the above union five children were born, Viz.— 
Barbara Summerville, Benjamin H., William Casper, Mary 
Elizabeth and Daniel H. 

BARBARA SUMMERVILLE BOWMAN 

Barbara Summerville, daughter of Benjamin F. and 
Barbara F. Bowman was born June 21, 1853 in Andrew Co., 
Mo. 

When about 10 years old her mother died, leaving her 
and 4 others motherless. The youngest, being an infant was 
cared for in the home of his uncle Wm. H. Wood. 

The father, a farmer was in the field much of the time, 
and Barbara, the oldest child seemed to realize that the 
responsibility of the house and the care of the children rested 
largely on her young shoulders, and she accepted the situa¬ 
tion with all the devotion of a little mother, as she watched 
over and cared for the little children while the father was 
away. 

With the father’s help and council, they got along re¬ 
markably well. The house was kept in better order than 
many homes where there is a woman to look after it. 

Her early experiences and responsibilities developed 
Barbara into a lovely, womanly character. I have not seen 
her since she was grown, but her letters bear the stamp of 
one who thru cares and trials has learned to trust the guiding 
hand of Him who knows the way. 

To give you some idea of the impression made on her 
young mind by the life and death of her mother, I will quote 
from one of her letters. 

She in answering my question—“what recollections have 
you of your mother” said, “I was only 10 years old when my 
mother died, and as we have no pictures of her, I have but 
a faint recollection as to looks, but I remember her as a lov¬ 
ing gentle mother—her whole life devoted to her little family. 
How sad it was to us when she was taken from us. But it 
seems to me, that aside from the sorrow of leaving her little 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


69 


ones, she was glad to enter into the glorious life beyond.” 

On Jan. 11, 1872 she was married to William H. Gilliam, 
in Andrew Co., Mo. He was a worthy man, a member of the 
M. E. Church and made a good husband and father. He died 
in Colo. July 17, 1897. 

Barbara was married the 2d time, Nov, 1901 to Edwin 
Hope of Collbran, Colo. 

She was converted at the age of 15 and united with the 
M. E. Church, and from the tone of her letters, I judge 
she has kept the faith, and thru her trials has felt the comfort¬ 
ing influence of the great Comforter, and the sustaining grace 
of her Lord, and in her declining years is resting on the 
everlasting promises. 

No children were born to the 2d marriage. 

To the 1st marriage (Surname Gilliam) was born 6 
children, Viz.— Edith Lillian, Benj. Clark, Charles Gregory, 
Walter Francis, William Elbertie, and Wesley Thomas. 

Edith Lillian was born Nov. 21, 1874. On May 1904 she 
was married to Charles A. Fish. She died Oct. 4th, 1904. 

She graduated from high school and taught 12 years. 

Benj. Clark was born May 5th, 1877. Was married to 
Miss Kate Deweese Sept. 2d, 1917. 

Charles Gregory was born Jan. 19, 1880. May 12 1907 
he was married to Miss Jennie Pinkney. 

Walter Francis was born July 20, 1885. Feb. 6, 1920 
he was married to Miss Flora Cannahan. He is employed in 
the forest service with headquarters at Callbran, Colo. 

William Elbertie was born Feb. 27th, 1890. Is married. 
I failed to get his wife’s name. 

He served as corporal in U. S. training camp at Fort 
Dodge, la. Was discharged Feb. 28, 1919. 

Wesley Thomas was born Aug. 18, 1893. Died June 20, 
1908. 

BENJAMIN H; BOWMAN 

Benjamin Henry, son of B. F. and Barbara F. Bowman 
was born Jan. 13th, 1855 in Andrew Co., Mo., where he grew 
to manhood attending the public schools. He went west while 


70 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


a young man, and after visiting some of the western states, 
he located in Ark. 

I regret very much that I know so little about this 
branch of the family. He and I corresponded for a few 
years after he located in Ark., and then our correspondence 
ceased. He died before I began gathering material for this 
book. I have written several letters during the last three 
years trying to get in communication with some member of 
the family, but have failed. After waiting about six months 
without hearing from them, I have decided to use what infor¬ 
mation I have gained from his brothers and sisters. 

I remember him as a young man of moral worth, in¬ 
dustrious, temperate, honorable, intelligent, good manners, 
no bad habits, I always thought he would develop into a good 
man. 

I have before me a letter written by one of his married 
daughters—Elizabeth, to Mrs. W. C. Bowman, Hilliard, Wash. 
Speaking of her father’s death, she said, “He was a devoted 
husband, loving father, honored and respected by all who 
knew him”. 

Gleaning from letters from his brothers and sisters, 
I find that he married Miss Millie Ann Nxion. She was born 
Jan. 17, 1856. 

To this union were born 7 children, Viz.— Mary Emma, 
Elizabeth Cornelia, Benjamin Harrison, George Wood, Casper 
A., Jacob S. and Dewey S. 

Mary Emma was born Oct. 31st, 1885. She received 
a common school education and qualified herself for teaching, 
and for a time taught school. 

She married J. Lewis Nelson, Aug. 6, 1905. Is a mem¬ 
ber of the M. E. church. She says that her father was in 
Mont, at the time of the Custer massacre, and saw Gen. 
Miles bring into camp chief Sitting Bull from Canada. 

Elizabeth was born July 22d, 1887. She married a Mr. 
Adams. She was a member of the Baptist church. 

Benj. H. was born Feb. 8, 1889. He attended a naval 
academy at Washington, D. C. Has been in the U. S. Navy 
service 14 years. Was with the Atlantic fleet in its famous 
voyage around the world. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


71 


He married a California girl last Nov. (1920). They 
are now in the navy yard at San Francisco. 

George W. was born Nov. 16th, 1890. He served one 
term in U. S. Army, was company musician. He is married 
and living in Ark. Also has a homestead in Ore. 

Casper A. was born Nov. 16, 1892. 

Jacob S. was born Mar. 8th, 1895. 

Dewey S. was born Sept. 14th, 1898. 

Sorry we have no further knowledge of the last three 
boys. 

The tribute paid to Banjamin H. by his daughter in a 
letter was brief but expressive.— “A devoted husband, a 
loving father, honored and respected by air’. 

He died Feb. 9th, 1915. If I had been intimately associ¬ 
ated with him thru life, no doubt I would have seen many 
virtuous and noble traits of character of which I could have 
spoken with pleasure. 

Since writing the above I received a letter from his 
daughter Emma. According to her letter, her father probably 
spent 6 or 7 years in the western states. He worked a while 
for the Myres Bros, drove an army wagon from Bismarck, 
N. D. to Pierre, S. D., and hunted for a while in Wyo. where 
he had many thrilling experiences. 

After leaving the west, he farmed 1 year in Mo. and 
then, in 1882 located in Ark. where he accumulated 400 acres 
of land and considerable property. His daughter said: 
“Father was a great reader, and night after night, would be 
found reading till after midnight.” 

WILLIAM C. BOWMAN 

William C., son of B. F. and Barbara F. Bowman was 
born June 17, 1858 in Andrew Co., Mo. where he grew to 
manhood. He gained a common school education in his 
home county. 

Early in life he went west and has spent about 40 years 
in the northwestern states and is now pleasantly located at 
Hillyard, Wash. 

Who knows, but it may be in answer to a loving mother’s 
prayer which she breathed for those she loved more than 


72 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


life, as she committed them to the Sovereign Father’s care, 
that none of these motherless children turned out bad. 

It has been 45 or more years since I saw William C. I 
wrote him for a brief outline of his business life, but he 
was too modest to give it to me, however, I have learned 
from other sources, that he has succeeded financially and is 
in easy circumstances. He did tell me of one business trans¬ 
action in life which seems to have made a lasting impression 
on his mind. He said: “I am married and was very fortu¬ 
nate in getting a noble Christian woman. She is a zealous 
worker in the church and Sunday school.” How expressive 
are these few words. After having lived with her for more 
than 36 years, he exalts her above all else. 

I wish I could emphasize three words in this brief ex¬ 
pression “NOBLE CHRISTIAN WOMAN”. 

This noble woman’s maiden name, May M. Scott. They 
were married Aug. 2d. 1884. She has been a faithful 
church worker for many years. She has acted as Sec. and 
Treas. of Lincoln Co. Association and a member of Interna¬ 
tional S. S. Ass’n. 

* To the above union were born 6 children, Viz.— Otho, 
Casper J. Loyd H., Merle May, Rosebell. One girl died, I 
failed to get the name. 

Otho was born Jan. 28, 1886. Died Sept. 28th, 1886. 

Casper J. was born Oct. 27th, 1887. Married Leta Robert¬ 
son, Sept. 14th, 1907. 

Loyd H. was born Mar. 27, 1897. Married Esther Paul 
Dec. 29, 1912. 

Merle May was born Mar. 12, 1897. Married William 
Paul, Jan. 27, 1915. 

Rosebell was born April 10, 1899, married Harry Foltz, 
Dec. '8th, 1915. 

The members of this family are affiliated with the 
Presbyterian church, and are useful members as S. S. officers 
and teachers. 

“What is there, in the vale of life 
Half so delightful as a wife, 

When friendship, love and peace combine 
To stamp the marriage bond divine?” 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


73 


MARY ELBERT BOWMAN 

Mary Elbert, familiarly known as Bertie, daughter of 
Benjamin F. and Barbara F. Bowman, was born in Andrew 
Co., Mo. Her education was attained in the common schools 
of Mo. and also in the state normal school at Peru, Neb. 

She was a beautiful girl; large blue eyes, fair complexion 
and a well rounded form. Her worth and beauty attracted a 
young lawyer of Savannah, Mo., and on Sept. 6th, 1877 they 
were united in marriage. 

The Rev. J. P. Harsen, Presbyterian minister of Witchita 
Kansas, officiating. The young lawyer was George W. Myers, 
son of judge Ephrem Myers, one of the foremost men of that 
new country. 

George W. was born March 1st, 1851. After going thru 
the common schools, he attended the state normal at Kirks- 
ville, Mo., and also a law school at Ann Arbor, Mich. 

In 1874 he was admitted to the bar by the supreme court 
of Mo. After practicing a short time in Savannah, he drifted 
west in search of a new location. He finally located at 
Miles City, Mont., which at that time was but a small fron¬ 
tier town protected by Fort Keough, with Gen. Miles at 
that time in command. 

As soon as Mr. Myers was established he sent for his 
young wife, who with her baby girl made the journey by 
boat up the Mo. River. 

Among his early financial enterprises was that, with his 
brothers, of contracting with the government to furnish beef 
to the fort, and after the five nations of Sioux Indians sur¬ 
rendered to Gen. Miles, they furnished beef to the prisoners 
also. 

Here in this new country, Mr. Myers developed into one 
of the foremost men in Mont, where he has practiced in the 
state and U. S. courts for more than 35 years. He is known 
as the poor man’s friend. He has served as register in the 
U. S. land office at Miles City under the Cleveland and 
Wilson administrations. This is one of the largest land offices 
in the U. S. both as to territory served and the number of 
entries. 


74 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


For several years Mr. Myers served as corporation lawyer 
for Miles City. During this time he codified the city ordin¬ 
ances. He is still practicing both in the federal and supreme 
courts. 

During all these years, in the midst of a strong Re¬ 
publican element, he has not abandoned his Democratic ideas. 
He is affiliated with the K. Ps. and Elks lodges. While it 
has never been my privilege to be in the Myers home (which 
I say regretfully) from what I have heard I think it is 
safe to say that Bertie has consecrated her womanhood with 
all its devotion, love and skill, to the making of a home 
worthy of her people; a place to which the minds of the 
family will ever turn as the brightest spot painted on mem¬ 
ory's canvas. 

To the above union, three children were born, Viz.— 
Mildred Geo., Alfred and Alma May. 

Alfred died in infancy. 

MILDRED GEORGE MYERS 

Mildred George, daughter of George W. and Bertie Myers 
was born July 18, 1879, near St. Joseph, Mo. 

After graduating from the Miles City high school she 
attended the Hamilton university two years. 

Jan. 22d, 1908 she was married to Harry F. Schlosser. 
Born in Ill. Feb. 16, 1869, he came to Mont, in an early day 
and engaged in the stock business, and in which he has 
succeeded. 

He is now on a fine old farm near Knowlton, Mont. 

For several years, two of his uncles sat on the supreme 
bench of Calif. 

Mildred is a literary woman and has some rare talents 
along that line. She is now gathering material for an 
ancestral history of the Myers and Bowman families. She 
spent last winter in southern Calif.; giving her children the 
advantage of the Calif, schools. There are three children, 
all boys, Viz.— 

Weyland Myers, born Nov. 2d, 1908. 

Fredricks, born Aug. 9th, 1910. 

John Bowman, born April 22d, 1913. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


75 


ALMA MAY MYERS 

Alma May, daughter of George W. and Bertie Myers, was 
born in Mont. After graduating from the high school of 
Miles City, she graduated from the Minn, state normal and 
has a life diploma for teaching kindergarten. 

For several years she served as proof clerk in the U. S. 
land office and is a land Atty. and can practice before the 
department of the Interior. She attended the Democratic 
convention at San Francisco in 1920 as press correspondent. 

She was married April 30th, 1921 to William Mortimer 
Grant at Portland, Ore. He was born in Minn, and is a 
graduate of the university of that state. 

DANIEL HUTCHISON BOWMAN 

Daniel H. son of Benjamin F. and Barbara Bowman, was 
born Mar. 4th, 1863 in Andrew Co., Mo. His mother died 
when he was about 6 months old. From that time till he was 
about 19 years old he was cared for in the home of his 
uncle and aunt, Wm. H. Wood. These 19 years were spe'R 
in N. W., Mo. The first 3 years in Andrew Co. the next 11 
in Atchison, and the remaining 5 in Nodaway. He was edu¬ 
cated in the schools of these counties. 

The influence of this pious home during this formative 
period, no doubt had much to do in developing those moral, 
temporate, industrious and upright traits which characterize 
his after life. 

In 1882 he went to Mont, where he found employment 
with his brother-in-law, Geo. W. Myers, who at that time 
was interested in the sheep business, with ranches about 
35 miles east of Miles City. The following year Daniel be¬ 
came foreman of the company’s business and later became a 
partner. The winter of 1886-7, the most disastrous year 
ever known to stockmen of Mont, and Wyo. wiped out this 
company’s business. 

The next 3 or 4 years found our man Daniel riding the 
ranges as cowboy. At the expiration of this time, he and two 
other men formed a company and tried the sheep business 
again. After running this business a few years with moder¬ 
ate success, he sold out his interest and bought and operated 


76 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


a steam sawmill at Knowlton, Mont. This was about 1895. 
A few years later he closed up this business and located about 
9 miles south of Knowlton where he purchased about 20,000 
acres of land and began stocking it with cattle. In 1913 this 
business was incorporated as the Spearhead Stock Co., com¬ 
posed of Daniel H., Lillian M., and Elbert Bowman, capital 
stock $25,000.00 with Elbert Bowman pres. Since then the 
capital stock has been increased to $50,000.00 and the land 
holdings to 40,000 acres. 

In 1889 Daniel was appointed sheep inspector for the 
county in which he lived and later, special inspector for Mont. 
He held these offices 26 years; serving under every veterinary 
surgeon the state has had. He served as P. M. at Mizpah 
several years, also at Knowlton; both in Mont. Also chair¬ 
man of the community council of defense during the World 
War. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge. After giving 
you the above positions of honor and trust which he has 
held with credit, it is useless to speak of his integrity and 
reliability. The confidence of the people where he has lived, 
speaks louder than words. 

He is an independent thinker; not afraid to risk his 
judgment. He is a positive man, believing in the doctrine of 
Davie Crocket “Be sure you are right, then go thead”. 

He is a public spirited man, interested in all things of 
general interest to the country. He uses good language, and 
makes a good appearance in society. As far as my knowl¬ 
edge goes, he is the heaviest one of the connection, weigh¬ 
ing about 250 pounds. He was one of the first to homestead 
in the Powder River Valley. He has traveled and observed 
enough to make him interesting. His continuous associations 
with business men, enables him to feel at home in business 
circles. 

On Nov. 22d, 1885 he was married at Sineca Castle, N. 
Y. to Lillian May Imogene Odell of N. Y. She was born 
Sept. 1st, 1865. She is a lady of dignity and refinement 
with intellectuality above the average. Has good business 
ideas, fitting her for a safe counselor for her husband. 

She possessed the old fashioned modesty, which is a 
little rare in these days. She knew how to make a home, 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


77 


(There is a difference between a home and a mere place in 
which to eat and sleep) and when I say of a woman, she 
knows how to make a home, I can pass no higher compliment. 
When a man marries a woman who can make a home for him 
and his children, he has married a fortune. 

To the above union, two children were born, Viz.— 
Charles Henry and Elbert Francis. 

Charles Henry was born April 13, 1887. Died Feb. 23d, 
1890. 

Elbert Francis, son of Daniel H. and Lillian M. Bowman 
was born June 23d, 1889 in Custer Co. Mont, and educated in 
the schools of this county. He worked with his father till 
he reached his majority and then became a partner in the 
Spearhead Stock Co., of which he has been president since 
its incorporation. He is a live wire in the stock business. 

June 10, 1917, he was married to Miss Gaylord Clark 
of South Park, Minn. 

On Sept. 16, 1918 he volunteered for service in the U. 

5. army and was assigned to students army training corps 
at Boulder, Colo. Was discharged at same place, Nov. 26, 
1918. 

Two children were born to this union: Francis Gaylord 
Bowman, born Sept 11, 1919 and Barbara Bowman born Jan. 

6, 1921. 


78 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


i . - * . ... 

CHAPTER XII. 

WILLIAM HENRY WOOD 

William H. son of William F. and Barbara Wood was born 
April 10, 1833 in Page Co. Va. He was the largest member 
of the family; about 5 ft. 11 in. high, and in young manhood 
weighed about 185 pounds. He was not fleshy; was square 
built with large bones, and was very strong, with great 
powers of endurance. Had blue eyes, light brown hair, 
fair complexion, and when talking to people, he looked them 
straight in the eye as though he would read their thoughts. 

He was a born leader and naturally fell into his place, 
foremost in the boys games, and as he grew to manhood, he 
led the social circles and was a good entertainer. 

When he was about 20 a Sunday school worker came 
into the Neighborhood and organized a S. S. Probably not 
one in ten had ever seen a S. S. I am sure the writer never 
had, and he was about 15; probably Wm. H. never had, but he 
was chosen Supt. and kept it going till he married and moved 
away. 

He was a good singer and trained the young people in 
vocal music. In various ways he was very helpful to 
society. He and Barbara Francis were the first of the family 
to join the church. They were converted at a revival 
meeting and united with the Union Grove Baptist church. 

He became an active worker in the church, and on the 
15th of March 1860 he was given license to preach, and on 
September 16, 1866 was regularly ordained (or set apart) 
to the work of the gospel ministry by prayer and laying on 
of hands (The difference between the licentiate, and the 
ordained minister is, the former may preach and exhort, 
but is not authorized to administer the ordinances of the 
church). He was fairly well educated, not a graduate, but 
far above the average of his day. He had studied the 
higher branches and was a master mathematician; he 
delighted in mathematics. Many hard problems were sent 
to him, and he seldom failed to solve them. 

He was a successful school teacher, a close student; 
had a clear logical mind and a good memory. He soon became 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


79 


well versed in the scriptures, and was regarded as one of 
the foremost theologians in that country. He made no 
attempt at oratory, but stood before his audience in calmness 
and meekness, and in an unimpassioned way expounded the 
great doctrines of God; many were convicted under his logical 
deductions, showing the just claims of a righteous God and 
the consequences of rejecting his offered love and mercy. 

He was a fine personal worker. He lived and talked 
religion, never ashamed to show his colors. He was never 
long in a place, till the people knew where he stood. Religion 
was his theme. He was not looking around for an easy 
place to work and preach. Wherever he stopped was the 
place to work. Some people can never find the right place 
to work for God. If they could find it, they would do 
wonderful things, but before they find it, the call comes to 
go, and they must go and leave the work undone. Not so 
with Wm. Henry Wood. He could always find work for the 
Master—pay or no pay—he worked on. 

He was kind and sympathetic. If there was sickness or 
suffering in the neighborhood, he was there to help—like his 
Master, he went about doing good. 

As the preachers in those days could not depend on 
salaries to support their families, he sometimes farmed, 
sometimes taught school, and sometimes worked at his 
trade, for again like his master, he was a carpenter. He 
built the first church house in the section where we lived in 
Andrew Co., Mo., and this scribe hauled the first timbers 
on the ground, and their father split and shaved the shingles 
to cover it. That is the way shingles were made in those 
days. 

The most of his religious work was done in the counties 
of Andrew, Nodaway and Atchison. At different times he 
lived in these counties, and a few years in Stone county Mo. 
Many of the people in these counties remember “Uncle Billy 
Wood”, and have heard him preach and many were married 
by him. He and the writer held some very gracious revivals. 
He would preach the sermons and I would handle the after 
meeting and God would give the blessing. 

He never accumulated a large amount of property; his 


80 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


mind was occupied with what he regarded as matters of 
greater importance. 

However he usually had a home of his own, and plenty 
of the necessaries and comforts of this life for his family. 

He was twice married. First Dec 27, 1855, to Miss Sarah 
Ann Hobson . She was born November 8, 1839. She was a 
lovely Christian woman; a member of the Baptist church. 
She died October 5th 1857 at Rockport Mo. 

One child, Fallis Jones, was born to them Jan 11 1857. 
He died March 14 1857. 

His second marriage, May 31 1860 was to Miss Isabel 
Eliza Todd. She was born April 23d 1836; she was a lovely 
Christian character, a devoted member of the Baptist church; 
was ever ready and willing to share the burdens of life with 
her husband, and to aid him in every good work. 

About three years after their marriage, our sister Fran¬ 
cis Wood Bowman died, leaving a little infant son. They took 
the little motherless child and raised him to manhood—his 
name is Daniel H. Bowman—we will speak of him later. 
Imagine, if you can the care, the anxiety, the responsibility 
of raising this child from infancy to manhood. 

When our brother Benjamin H died, leaving a family of 
5 children they took the oldest boy, W. W. Wood, then 
about 12 yrs. 

The young man wanted to try life for himself, so with 
a perfect and satisfactory arrangement, he started to school 
at Rockport, when 15 yrs. old and worked his way thru. 

After this devoted couple had lived happily together 
for 37 yrs. on Oct. 27th, 1897, at Maryville Mo. he fell asleep 
in Christ. He rests from his labors and his works do follow 
him. 

After his death, his widow lived with her children. While 
at the home of her son Fallis, in LaFayette, Ind. 1914. She 
passed to her reward in heaven, after a long and useful life. 

To this union were born, Isaac Wayland, Benjamin 
Henry, Fallis Alfred, Ollie Belle and four other children which 
died in infancy, Viz— Wm. Henry, Jacob Carey, Allen Todd 
and Mary Elizabeth. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


81 


ISAAC WAYLAND WOOD 

Isaac Wayland, son of Wm. H. and Isabel E. Wood was 
born Jan. 16th, 1869 in Atchison Co., Mo. 

When about 7 years of age he came with his parents to 
Maryville Mo. Here he attended the public schools till 
about 16 years of age. 

The most of his time when not in school was spent in 
a general merchandise store. 

In the spring of 1888 he began the work of bricklaying. 
At the age of 21 he became contractor and builder. Some of 
the best buildings in that part of the country, represent the 
character of his workmanship. 

In 1900 he went to Knowlton, Custer Co., Mont. In this 
locality, he acquired 3,500 acres of land, which he developed 
into one of the finest ranches in that part of the country. He 

might well be called the pioneer farmer in that district. 

The first grain binder and thresher in that part of the 
country, operated on his farm. 

He stocked the place with cattle, operated it successfully 
13 yrs. In 1913, he sold out in Mont, and located in Santa 
Ana in southern Calif. Here he built a fine residence, doing 
the brick and cement work himself. Later he sold this house 
and built another more to his liking. Soon after locating in 
Santa Ana, he bought a tract of land in the city limits front¬ 
ing one of the best streets in the town, laid it out in town 
lots and sold it out at good profits. Three years ago he 
bought a walnut grove for $18,000.00. Since then he refused 
$48,000.00 for it. 

I state these things only to show his ability to read the 
future and take in the opportunities. He is now engaged in 
walnut growing and real estate business. He has a strong 
clear mind and a retentive memory. He is well posted on all 
general topics of the day. He is a lover of books. He is 
benevolent and kind, giving liberally to benevolent objects, 
especially to the poor and suffering. He is honest and honor¬ 
able—has a reputation for fair dealing. 

When about 13 yrs. of age he professed faith in Christ, 
and united with the Baptist church at Maryville, Mo. and 


82 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


has lived a consistent Christian life. He was a manly young 
man, never carried away with youthful follies, which might 
bring a reproach on his church. 

He had a musical voice and talent and sang in the church 
choir. At one time the church thot of educating him for the 
ministry but he shrank from the responsibility. Physically, 
he was never robust. Was 6 ft. 2 in height but was spare 
made. He was industrious and worked hard, till recently, he 
has had to give up heavy physical labor. 

He belongs to the following orders, the A. F. & A. M. 
and K. P.s 

In 1892 he and his cousin W. J. Wood went to Flordia to 
see what inducement there might be there for young men. 
They stopped at Washington, D. C.—visited the White House 
and shook hands with Benj. Harrison the president. Their 
next stop was in the Shenandoah Valley Page Co., Va. Here 
they visited the old home where their fathers were born. 
Among other relics they got some nails from the old house 
which were made in the blacksmith shop. That was the 
only kind of nails to be had, when that house was built. 

While in the valley, they went thru the great cave near 
Luray. After visiting a few days with relatives they had 
never seen, and probably never heard of, they went on to 
Flordia. Finding nothing enticing there, they returned to 
Mo. 

On March 25, 1900, he was married to Delia J. Baker, a 
school teacher. They had been school mates in earlier days. 

She was born March 25th, 1870 in Nodaway Co., Mo. 
She had a strong vigorous mind—above the average for 
intelligence. She professed faith in Christ while young and 
united with the Baptist church. 

She was a good wife and mother—industrious and kind. 

While living in Mont, her health failed. They hoped 
the mild climate of Southern Calif would build her up, but 
after medical skill and all efforts of friends were exhausted; 
on the 20th of May, 1915, she passed to her eternal home of 
joy and peace and rest. She was perfectly rational to the 
last breath. A few minutes before she ceased to breathe, 
she said to me “Uncle, pray for me”. She does not need my 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


83 


prayers now, but the children do. I have tried, and shall con¬ 
tinue to try to use my influence for their good. 

Most every death is attended with sadness, but some 
are made more sorrowful by circumstances, as in this case. 
The husband and father, almost an invalid, was left with 4 
motherless children, the oldest being 13 yrs of age. Another 
shadow was, the parents had worked hard, had accumulated 
enough to place them in easy circumstances. In failing 
health they had come to Santa Ana, built a beautiful resid¬ 
ence and together they had selected the furnishings. When 
they were just ready to move into it, suddenly, she was 
taken worse, and was carried from her bed to the auto and 
taken to her new home—was carried to, her bed-room from 
which she never walked, but in a few days, exchanged man- 
sions, the earthly, for the heavenly. Paul said, “For we know 
that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we 
have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal 
in the heavens”. 

Wayland is a kind loving father. Since the death of his 
wife his cousin, Mattie Smith and her husband were with him 
two years. Since then his cousin Emma Kerfoot has been with 
him. He has spent his money without reserve, that his child¬ 
ren might be prepared for happy and useful lives. 

To this union were born 4 children Viz— Carrie Eliza¬ 
beth, Charles Henry, Mary Margaret, and Isabel Olive. 

Carrie Elizabeth was born Sept, 6. 1902 at Miles City, 
Mont, came to Santa Ana with her parents. She is develop¬ 
ing into a useful woman. This is her 4th year in the high 
school of Santa Ana. She is succeeding well in music—a 
good pianist and has a trained voice and sings in the church 
choir of the First Baptist church. She was choir Sec. of 
the great Baderwolf meeting in Santa Ana. She is now pres, 
of the World Wide Guild and of the Intermediate Christian 
Endeavor and leader in the S. S. choir. She expects to 
graduate from the high school in June. 

4 

Charles Henry was born Nov. 22, 1904 at Maryville, Mo. 
He has passed the common schools and is now in the 2d year 
in the Santa Ana High School. He has the ability to make 


84 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


a useful man. He works in a confectionery, between school 
hours. 

Mary Margaret was born Dec. 23d, 1906. She is in the 
intermediate school and will pass into the high school next 
session. She is making good progress in music. 

Isabelle Olive was born Sept. 13, 1908, at Knowlton, Mont. 
She is in the intermediate school. Has studied music some. 
It is the purpose of the father to keep the children in school 
till they graduate if possible. 

OLIVE BELLE WOOD 

f j * 

Olive Belle, daughter of Rev. Wm. H. and Isabel E. 
Wood was born July 23d, 1871, in Atchison Co., Mo. 

When about 4 yrs old she came with her parents to 
Maryville Mo. 

She was educated in the Maryville schools. When about 
15 yrs old she was converted to the Christian faith, and 
united with the Baptist church at Maryville, Mo. She was 
beautiful in intellect and pleasing in conversation and man¬ 
ners. She was one of those gems, which seem to have been 
born into this world to scatter sunshine and good cheer among 
the down-cast, discouraged and troubled souls of Earth. 
She was loved because she was loving. On May 9th, 1889 
she was married, by the writer to James Green Boatwright. 
He was born Dec. 8th, 1866. He died Oct. 2d, 1895. 

One child was born to them to-wit, Bertie Martin Boat¬ 
wright. She was born Feb. 6th, 1890. She was married 
Feb. 9th, 1910 to James Loren Jones, son of Rev. James 
Lewis Jones. James Loren Jones was born Mar. 1st, 1884. 
He died April 3d, 1915. 

The 2d marriage of Olive Belle Wood Boatwright was 
on Dec. 24th, 1896 to Wm. H. George of Hopkins, Mo. He 
was a very worthy man, a devoted Christian, a member of the 
Baptist church, a good church worker, industrious and honor¬ 
able; a kind devoted husband and a loving father. 

He is a farmer near Knowlton, Mont. Honored and 
respected. 

Mr: George, with his family moved from near Hopkins, 
Mo. to Mont, and bought land near Knowlton and made a 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


85 


good home there, but this happiness was not to last long. 
His wife Ollie (as she was called) was in declining health. 
It was hoped the change would build her up, but she gradual¬ 
ly sank, till on Nov. 24th, 1902, her beautiful life ended on 
Earth, to be transplanted in heaven, with surroundings more 
congenial to her sensitive nature. 

With sacred memories I look back and watch Ollie grow 
from childhood to lovely womanhood with bright hopes and 
prospects before her; and then see her in early womanhood 
touched by that dreaded and deceitful disease, tuberculosis, 
and see her fade away so gradually, that she is almost uncon¬ 
scious of the approach of death. But when he calls she is 
ready, and resigning all to Him who loved her and redeemed 
her, she stepped across the narrow stream which divides the 
two worlds. 

When writing of such tender ties, I long for words to 
express what to me is inexpressible. 

To Wm. H. and Olive Belle George, one daughter— 
Helen Beryl, was born July 28th, 1898. She was married to 
Ozcoe Finch. Their home is near Knowlton, Mont. 

BENJAMIN HENRY WOOD 

Benjamin Henry, son of Wm. H. and Isabel E. Wood was 
born April 22d, 1874 in Atchison Co., Mo. He went thru 
the common school at Maryville, Mo., and attended high school 
at the same place. 

He spent several years as clerk in mercantile establish¬ 
ments. In several places he became manager; as a salesman, 
he had but few equals. He was witty and jovial, made 
friends fast; easily gained the confidence of others, but never 
. stayed long enough in one place to establish himself in 
business. 

He located a homestead in Mont, near Knowlton, and 
improved it. He loved fun and was a good entertainer. 
Physically, he was a powerful man; had but few equals in 
strength. When in the prime of life he weighed around 200 
lbs; 5 ft. 10 in height with no surplus flesh. When a boy, 
from 10 to 14, he and his younger brother Fallis, kept their 
parents guessing as to where they were, or what they were 


86 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


doing. They were in demand in the town for amusement 
entertainments and most any other kind of fun making. 

On one occasion, the Baptist church of Maryville was 
giving an entertainment to raise money for some benevolent 
purpose, with a few comical pieces mixed in for amusement. 
Among these was a pie-eating contest. If I remember correct¬ 
ly, the pies were in plates, arranged on a bench or board 15 
or 20 inches above the floor. The contestant was to eat 
the pie without using his hands; the one who finished his 
pie first would get a prize. When the contestants came on 
the stand, to the astonishment of the parents, Henry and 
Fallis Wood were among them, and one of them got the prize. 

On another occasion, they decided to visit an uncle at 
Savannah, about 30 miles away, and without notifying their 
parents, they got on the train without tickets or money. After 
letting the boys ride awhile the conductor came around and 
said, “Well boys I will have to put you off at the next 
station, if you don’t get off”. Henry said, “What station 
is it” ? He said Savannah. Why, said Henry, “there is 
where we want to get off” 

It was probably the next day their uncle sent them home, 
and when they arrived, their mother cried. Henry said, “Ma, 
if we had known you were going to cry about it, we would 
have stayed longer.” 

Once they decided to set a hen and hatch out some 
chickens of their own. They gathered the eggs and made 
a nest in a keg or box, caught a hen and put her on the nest. 
But she had some hennish notions and refused to set. 
They put a cover over the box, but still she would not set; 
so they go a weight and weighted her down, but before the 
chickens were hatched, the hen was dead. 

On Feb. 9th, 189<* Henry was married to Miss Clara 
Winfield Cotteral of Maryville, Mo. She was a nice intelligent 
girl of a good family, (John W. and Emma Fain Cotteral of 
Maryville). She was born Jan. 27, 1878. She and Henry 
became members of the Baptist church at Maryville while 
young. 

To the above union were born 5 children, Viz— William 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


87 


Donald, Francis Wayland, Fallis Elbert, Henry Alwyn and 
Elizabeth Winnifred. 

William Donald was born July 8th, 1897—died Nov. 29th, 
1897. 

■ '• • • a * . 

Francis Wayland was born June 13th, 1899 at Miles City, 
Mont. Was educated in the common schools of Mont.; dur¬ 
ing the World War, he served in the U. S. Navy; was station¬ 
ed a while at San Diego; did not get over to see the Hun. 

He was married July 6th, 1920 to Miss Janette Innis 
Rockwell. 

Fallis Albert was born March 18, 1901. 

Henry Alwyn was born June 26th, 1903. 

Elizabeth Winnifred was born Oct 1st, 1908. 

FALLIS ALFRED WOOD 

Fallis Alfred, son of Wm. H. and Isabel E. Wood was 
born in Atchison Co., Mo. Dec. 17, 1875. About 1 yr later 
his parents moved to Maryville Mo.; lived there 15 yrs. then 
went to Stone Co., Mo.; lived there 5 yrs then returned to 
Maryville, Mo. Here Fallis learned the brick-mason trade, 
but never made it his business; but clerked in a grocery store. 

When the Spanish war broke out, he enlisted as a pri¬ 
vate in Co. E. 4th Mo. infantry Vol. Received appointment 
as corporal; was mustered out Feb. 10, 1899. 

He then went to Shenandoah la. and took charge of a 
grocery store. Dec. 1901 he went to Miles City Mont, and 
worked in a grocery store and later went to Council Bluffs, 
la. and worked as salesman for the National Cash Register 
Co. He attained the 100 point degree and received the 
highest honor the company gives. 

In May 1910 he went to LaFayette, Ind. and engaged 
in the manufacturing of stock medicine. 

In 1915 he became contractor and builder in Omaha. At 
present he is in the auto business at Omaha. 

He is a member of the following orders, Masonic Lodge 
No. 123 A. F. & A. M. at LaFayette, Ind. B P. O. Elks, Knights 
of Pythias, U. C. T. of America, Omaha Athletic Club, West 
End Club of Omaha and the T. P. A. Ass’n. 

He has the reputation of being one of the best sales- 


88 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


men in this country. He is jovial and witty, and is at home 
among business men. 

Dec. 5th, 1899 he was married to Miss Edna May Doty, 
daughter of J. J. Doty of Ind. She is an attractive woman in 
form, features and manners. She has fine conversational 
powers, and has seen enough to have something to tell; 
and been in society enough to give her easy and homelike 
manners. There are some who have a store of knowledge 
and could be very entertaining if it were not that they are 
cramped and fearful, lest they should make a bad appearance, 
or bad impression. 

This will be noticed by an observer and may create a 
feeling of sympathy. The best entertainer is the one who 
is so much interested in the subject that self is forgotten. 
The public speaker who is thinking more of himself than his 
subject, can never get the best results. Evidently the effect 
on the listener depends much on the state, or condition of 
the heart of the speaker. I use the word heart here because 
I have no better word. In our physical being, our heart is the 
seat of life; from it the blood ebbs and flows. In our emotion¬ 
al, or spiritual being, there is a central place called the heart; 
we might say the heart of the soul; from it the love of God 
and God’s creatures ebbs and flows. The one whose soul is 
filled with love, will scatter sunshine, joy and happiness along 
life’s pathway. 

After being in company with Edna Wood a short time, 
I was left with the impression that she really loved people, 
and could see all the good there was in them and let their 
imperfections pass unnoticed or pitied. Jesus said, “out of 
the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh”. 

She says she has never done anything to make herself 
conspicuous. She thinks if she had had a large family, she 
might have made herself conspicuous as a mother, but as she 
has but one child, even if he is a good and useful man, she 
will get but little credit. 

But with her happy cheerful words, she will bless many 
a downcast lonely soul. This is worth while, and worth liv¬ 
ing for. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


89 


To this union was born two sons, Viz— Fallis Austin, 
born May 9th, 1901 and died May 27th, 1901. 

William Donald, born May 5th, 1902, at Miles City Mont. 
He enlisted in the Red Cross service at the age of 16 in 
time of the World War, but the armistice was signed before 
he got across. He is still in the schools of Omaha. From 
what I have gathered, he will probably make his mark in the 
World. 

Since writing the above, Fallis, with his family has 
moved to Santa Ana, where I have had the opportunity of 
knowing him better. I feel that he deserves more than has 
been written, therefore I am adding these lines. 

Fallis has developed into a thorough business man. 
THOROUGH, means more than just to buy and sell success¬ 
fully. It means reliability, and that means punctuality, in¬ 
tegrity and honesty. Some men think just so they make the 
deal, it makes no difference how much they misrepresent. 
These men are made of shoddy material, and will not last. 

Fallis carries recommendations from some of the best 

and most reliable firms in the U. S. His business career has 
not caused him to lose his reverence for God and his respect 
for sacred things, nor his interest in the great moves which 
are being made for the betterment of society, morally and 
religiously.. 

Denominationally, he and his family are Baptists, and 
not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Politically, Democrats. 
As a Mason he has taken the 32d degree, is a member of 
Consistory No. 1 32d Ancient Arabic order of the Nobles of 
the Mystic Shrine, Tangier Temple, Omaha, Neb. 

In addition to his travels as a salesman, he with his 
family, in an automobile, has crossed the continent once and 
nearly one half over, sight seeing. 1912 found them located 
in LaFayette Ind. Leaving this point, they started for 
Washington, D. C. with no other object than to see things. 
They visited many places of interest; stopping long enough to 
take in the objects which they most desired to see. 

At Sandusky, they took a boat ride on Lake Erie. At 
Cleveland they visited the parks and took a stroll over John 


90 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


D’s estate. At Buffalo they visited the Niagara Falls, made 
the circuit around the gorge back of the falls into Canada, 
also east Aurora, made famous by Elbert Hubbard. On the 
way from Buffalo to N. Y. City, they took in Rochester, Syra¬ 
cuse, Utica, Schenectady, Albany; the drive down the Hudson 
River was grand. At Newberg took in Washinton’s head 
quarters, West Point, (the U. S. academy) Stoney Point, 
Sing Sing Prison. In the death chamber, they sat in the 
electric chair. At Terry Town they visited Sunny Side, 
Sleepy Hollow, and the old church where Washington wor¬ 
shiped. Spent several days in and around New York, visiting 
Brooklyn, Manhattan, Coney Island, Staten Island, The God¬ 
dess of Liberty. At Philadelphia took in the Navy Yards, 
Independence Hall, U. S. Mint. Went on deck several large 
battleships, visited the home of Bettie Ross. Passing through 
Wilmington and Baltimore, they came to Washington, D. C. 
Here they visited the National Library, Washington’s Monu- 
men, war and navy departments, a day at Mt. Vernon, the 
Masonic lodge where Washington was a member when he 
died. Returning homeward, spent a day viewing the battle¬ 
field of Gettysburg (It is now a national park with drive¬ 
ways), stopped at Dayton, Ohio, the home of the National 
Cash Register Co., for which Fallis canvassed as salesman 
several years. He also was engaged several years manufac¬ 
turing hog medicines. This proved to be a success. The trip 
to Washington was in 1912. In 1915, with his family, motor¬ 
ed from LaFayette to Omaha Neb. and was there till Dec. 
1921 engaged as salesman for the Neb. Olds Mobile Co. Then 
they took another drive to southern Calif, arriving in 
Santa Ana Dec. 29th, 1921. He says, “I am convinced that 
the old U. S. is a mighty nice place in which to live, and the 
Great Architect has built some wonderful things for us to 
see and enjoy. ‘Surely our cup runneth over.’ ” 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


91 


CHAPTER XIII. 

ELIZABETH ANN WOOD 

Elizabeth Ann, (familiarly called Bettie), daughter of 
William F. and Barbara Wood was born Oct. 16, 1835 in Page 
Co., Va. 

She was probably the largest of the girls; tall well 
proportioned, bright blue eyes, dark brown hair, fair com¬ 
plexion ; making a fine specimen of the human family. She 
would attract attention in any crowd. 

She was good natured, loving and affectionate. She 
had a happy pleasing way, that would make others happy 
while in her presence. 

When I began writing this little sketch. I was afraid 
to trust to my memory, having been with her so little since 
her marriage, that I wrote to her son Jerome, of Brunswick, 
Mo., asking him to give me a description of his mother as he 
remembered her. When I read his beautiful letter my eyes 
filled with tears of joy to know that she had been able to 
leave such noble and lasting impression on her boy. So it 
may be said of her, that she being dead, yet speaketh. 

I cannot copy all this good letter, nor repeat all the good 
things in it. Among other things he said, “She stood and 
walked erect, making a very graceful and pleasing appear¬ 
ance; she was very decided on moral issues; she never had 
an enemy. All who knew her, even her step children spoke 
of her in highest praise; and for many years she was in the 
memory of her neighbors with pleasant comments. They 
would say to me, ‘Your mother was a good woman’ or ‘She 
was the best woman I ever knew’. But few of these are left 
to repeat these beautiful words in my hearing.” 

Speaking of her last sickness, which lasted about a 
year, he says, “During a part of that time, father and I 
were working away from home, and would be absent days at 
a time. I can remember how glad and happy she would be 
when we came home. She would meet us with a smile and 
a kiss and with cheerful words, would try to make us happy. 
If she ever complained, I have no recollection of it.” 


92 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


This story may not mean much to some who may read 
it, but to Jerome, it means a great deal. Home broken up, 
and a boy of 12 yrs. left to face the world without the care of 
a loving mother. When I write or speak of those so dear, 
my words seem to be poor things that will not serve my pur¬ 
pose. 

Now I must go back and bring up another side of her 
life; it will be interesting to some. She was almost 3 yrs and 
3 months older than myself. As we grew up together, we 
became very much attached to each other, and after the 
other children had left home, we became more attached if 
possible. 

When I was about 16 yrs old, Jackson Dearing, a brother 
to sister Mary’s husband, came from Jackson Co., Mo. to 
see if sister Bettie would marry him, and to my utter astonish¬ 
ment she consented. They were married Dec. 19th, 1854, 
and she went home with him. 

I was very lonely and terribly vexed, not that I had 
anything against Mr. Dearing—he was a nice and good man, 
but I thought he was very much out of place to come so far 
to get a wife, when there were a plenty of good women 
where he lived. He had known her when she was a child in 
Va. 

Shortly after marriage, she was graciously converted and 
became a devoted member of the M. E. Church South with 
her husband, and like Dorcas of old “She was full of good 
works and alms deeds”. 

They lived first at Independance Mo., but later bought 
a farm in Charitan Co., 4 1-2 miles from Brunswick. Here 
she spent her remaining days. 

On Jan. 1st, 1869, from this home on Earth, she passed 
to her prepared mansion in heaven. So shall she ever be 
with the Lord. 

Jackson Dearing was a native of Va. but came to Mo. 
in an early day. He was a farmer, and by industry and econ¬ 
omy, provided well for his family. He died Oct. 14, 1907 
at the ripe old age of 87. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


93 


I will relate here an incident of the Civil war, which 
illustrates the attachment existing as brother and sister. 

While I was serving in the U. S. cavalry, we were station¬ 
ed for a short time at Boonville Mo. While there I was 

% 

sent with a detachment of soldiers, to Brunswick, to be there 
a few days. I got permission to go out and see my sister 
4 1-2 miles from town. I knew I was taking chances, for the 
country wa salive at that time with southern “Bushwhackers” 
but I wanted to see my sister, and decided to take the chances. 

I think I was there two nights and a day. The first night 
I was there somebody rapped at the door. My sister jumped 
quickly and went to the door; I could hear them talking in 
a low tone, but could not hear what they were saying. I felt 
a little suspicious, I had my U. S. uniform on, and it was not 
very .popular in that part of the country. The next day I 
walked over the farm alone. 

After the war was over, 1 learned there was a band of 
bushwhackers camped near their house, and the men who came 
to the door belonged to the band. My sister and her husband 
were in sympathy with the Southern Confederacy, and that 
was all that saved my scalp. She was my guardian angel. 

There were no dealings between soldiers and bushwhack¬ 
ers, except the dealings of death. 

JEROME DEARING 

Jerome, son of Jackson and Elizabeth Dearing was born 
Jan. 23d, 1857 on a farm near Independence Mo. 

When he was an infant, his mother was given up by the 
doctors to die. She supposing she would never recover, gave 
her infant son to her mother who was with her in her sick¬ 
ness. She was sick a long time but finally recovered, but 
for some reason, I do not know why, his grandmother, Bar¬ 
bara Wood, kept him as long as she lived, which was about 
9 years. A short time before his mother’s death, he had his 
thigh bone broken. As soon as he was able to be moved, he 
was taken to his parents in Chariton Co. His mother died 
3 or 4 yrs. later. 


94 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


,i His broken bone left him a little lame, but notwithstand¬ 
ing all these adversities and changes in the home life, he 
developed into a very useful man, religiously, politically and 
socially. 

, Religiously, he is a staunch Baptist. Speaking of his 
experiences he said— he had early decided he was a Baptist, 
but there was no Baptist church near, so he hunted up a 
young. Baptist preacher and got him to hold a meeting in their 
school house. At the close of the meeting a church was 
organized with 9 members; but it grew. They soon built a 
good substantial house which is still in good condition, and 
after helping to organize two other Baptist churches, they 
still have a strong membership. He married a Methodist, 
but she soon became a Baptist (possibly just to please him) 
and she is now a teacher in the Baptist S. S. at Brunswick. 
He has occupied about all the positions in the church and 
associations except preaching. He said he played a few 
games at politics, but decided it was not good for his religion. 
He has been in business in Brunswick 28 yrs handling groc¬ 
eries and produce. 

March 27, 1878, he married Miss Margaret Ann Elliott, 
who was born and raised near Brunswick. Her father was 
in the Confederate army, was captured at the battle of Black 
Water, and died in prison in St. Louis Mo. 

After the death of Jerome’s mother, his father married 
the mother of Jerome’s wife. I will let the reader figure 
out the relation each member of the family sustains to each 
other. 

Since writing the above, I have received a letter from 
Mollie F. Carey of K. C. Mo. saying, she wanted the 
privilege of saying a few words for Jerome Dearing. She 
has had a much better opportunity to know him and his work, 
since he reached manhood than I have had. I am thankful 
for the words and insert them gladly. 

She says— “For many years he has been the most 
prominent member in the Baptist church where he holds 
his membership (Brunswick Mo.). For many years superin¬ 
tendent of the S. S., leader in the singing, prominent in every 


THE WOOD FAMILY 95 

good work,—has the confidence of all, loved by many, es¬ 
pecially the children. He is kind to all, thotful for old 
people, children and animals”. He lives religion 7 days in the 
week. 

To Jerome and Margaret Ann Dearing 5 children were 

born, Viz.— William Jackson, Ray, Harry Clyde, Mary Beulah 

. . ,« < . •* •- . ! . ' 

and Ornie Lucile, all born in Charitan Co. Mo. 

William Jackson Dearing was born March 5th, 1883. He 
was married Mar. 5th, 1906 at Salt Lake City, Utah to 
Miss Christena Elenor Jensen. 

He left Brunswick Mo. in 1901. Since then he has lived 
a short time in Colo, a short time in Cal. and 5 yrs back in 
Brunswick in a store with his father. The balance of the 
time has been spent in Utah. He is a boiler maker by trade 
and is working for the U. S. Smelting Co., at Midvale, Utah, 
and is now foreman of the Co. 

Early in life he professed faith in Christ, and united 
with the Baptist church and has kept in touch with the 
guiding hand which ever points the way to righteousness, 
truth and love, the foundation principles of the Kingdom of 
our God. 

He is honoring his profession, and God says, “Them that 
honor me I will honor”. He is also keeping the 5th com¬ 
mandment “Honor thy father and thy mother”. He speaks 
of his father as a Godly man and wishes he could be as good. 

His wife is a Utah girl, a graduate of the Taylorville 
grade school, and she attended the Latter Day Saints univer¬ 
sity. She is a member of the L. D. S. church. She was born 
Jan. 7th, 1887. 

They have 3 children Viz.— 

Virginia, Born Jan 25th, 1907. 

Ruth, Born June 30th, 1912. 

Wm. Jackson, Jr., Born July 29th, 1919. 

RAY DEARING 

Ray Dearing was born May 13th, 1887. At the age of 
17 he left Mo. and located at Salt Lake City, Utah. Here 
he was engaged in different branches of business, and made 


96 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


good everywhere. He was in high standing in society, won 
many friends. He was temporate, honest and honorable. He 
was foreman 3 yrs for the Childers Flotation Milling Co. He 
was foreman of the salt works and potash mills. He was 
married Feb. 23d, 1910 to Miss Mable Canning of Utah. She 
was born Aug. 21st, 1889. She is a graduate of the Midvale 
grade school. 

At the time of her marriage she was chief operator at 

• _ 

the Murry branch of the Rock Mountain Bell Telephone Co. 

Since Ray's death, she has been head clerk of the silver 
Dept, of the F. Aussback Co.’s Dept, store at S. L. City. 

She is a member of the L. D. S. church, and Ray was 
a member of the Baptist church. 

After a short sickness he passed away April 21st, 1920. 
He was carrying a life insurance of $2,000.00. 

One child born to this union—Jack Jerome, born July 
16th, 1914. 


HARRY CLAUDE DEARING 

Harry Clyde Dearing was born Sept. 20th, 1889. He 
graduated from the Brunswick high school. 

During the World War he served in the U. S. Army. He 
was stationed at Camp Funston as sargeant of a depot brigade. 
Later he was promoted sergeant major. He was in the army 
about 16 months. The balance of his time since his gradua¬ 
tion from school has been with the Brunswick Telephone Co. 
Brunswick Light and Motor Co. He was married Nov. 1920 
to Miss Minnie Hughs. He was a member of the Baptist 
church. 


MARY BEULAH DEARING 

Mary Beulah Dearing was born June 10th r 1892. For 
several years she was bookkeeper and cashier for her father’s 
store. 

On April 11, 1912 she was married to Ralph Baxley. 
Two children born to them are, Russell Ray, born Sept. 1913 
and Edgar Earl, born Jan. 24th, 1920. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


97 


OMIE DEARING 

Omie Dearing was born Jan. 26th, 1895. Graduated 
from Brunswick high school; taught several terms of school; 
was bookkeeper in her father’s store for several years. 

She is a lover of music and is an accomplished musician 
and at this time is head sales-lady for the Brunswick branch 
for the Webster & Mode Music Co. 

She is a member of the Baptist church and unmarried. 


98 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


CHAPTER XIV. 



JACOB SAMUEL FALLIS WOOD 


Jacob S. F. son of William F. and Barbara Wood was 
born Jan. 6 1839 in Page Co. Va. Lied I e rcn 14 

He was 6 ft. high, average weight when young, i < o 
pounds; blue eyes, light brown hair, fair complexion. He 
was even tempered, affectionate, sympathetic; weeping with 
those that wept; often moved to tears, by the suffering and 
sorrows of others; usually cheerful and happy; enjoyed a 
clean joke, but was disgusted with any other kind. 

He enjoyed company and was a good entertainer. Early, 
he began to study life with its results and consecfuvhices. He 
would imagine himself an old man, looking back over his 
life viewing the things which he had done. This made a 
great impression on his mind; he never lost sight of it. This 
he called taking time by the forelocks. 

He saw that a life worth looking back over, must begin at 
the beginning. He saw that a few mistakes in youth, might 
lead to ruin. 




THE WOOD FAMILY 


99 


He deeply felt the need of a Divine guide. This led to 
prayer asking God to guide and keep him in paths of right¬ 
eousness and truth. 

His parents were moral, but not religious, and had not 
taught their children in the ways of the Lord. He soon 
realized his heart was not right with God. He became deeply 
conscious of his own unworthiness, and that unless God 
helped him, he was lost. 

This led to a great struggle. He would go out to some 
secret place before retiring for the night and pray and weep; 
sometimes prostrate on the ground. He wanted to be a 
Christian, but did not know how. So he continued to study 
the bible and pray till he was over 17 yrs. old. 

One night he went to his bedroom in great agony of 
soul and dropped on his knees and began praying and weep¬ 
ing. It seemed to be a life and death struggle; he must have 
help from God, or be forever lost. Some time in the night, 
God came to him and helped to cast the whole burden on 
Christ the Redeemer; to believe the promises; to lay hold 
of eternal life. He was filled with the fullness of God; with 
joy unspeakable. He was saved, his sins were forgiven, 
Christ his friend. He remained a long time on his knees, 
studying the matter over, praising God and laying out his life 
work. 

This was a night never to be forgotten. It was the 13th 
of Oct. 1856. He began at once trying to persuade people 
to give their hearts and lives to the service of God. It was 
probably the next night while sitting around the old fashioned 
fire-place, that he spoke to his father and mother, trying to 
persuade them to become Christians. They seemed to be 
surpriseo and when he could not make them understand, he 
kneeled down and prayed for them. After this, he often 
read from the bible to them and prayed with them. 

About a year later, he had the satisfaction of seeing 
them walk together, down into the river and receive the 
ordinance of baptism; thus dedicating themselves to the 
service of God; the father being about 55 and the mother 
57 when baptised. 


100 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


Those were happy days for the subject of this sketch, and 
it was not long till he was exhorting the people publicly, and 
on Jan. 3d, 1861 he was licensed, by the Union Grove Baptist 
church of Andrew Co., Mo., to preach the gospel; and by the 
same church, Aug. 22d, 1863 was ordained to the full gospel 
ministry, by the laying on of hands and prayer. 

He had worked on the farm for his father till he was 
21 without compensation as was the custom in those days. 
He had fully made up his mind to preach, but now found him¬ 
self without money and but little education. He was hunger¬ 
ing and thirsting for an education and started in at once to 
get it. 

There was a graded school at Mt. Vernon, near Savannah, 
Mo. He arranged to go to school there; his brother Wm. H. 
Wood standing for the expenses, thus giving him time to 
pay it. After going a few months, his father persuaded him 
to come home and help him raise another crop. The next 
winter he started in at Mt. Pleasant college Kansas. This 
year 1861 the civil war broke out, and before the year ended, 
the school had closed its doors. 

He went home, taught school, paid his debts; volunteered 
in the U. S. Cavalry service, Aug. 8th, 1863. Was discharged 
at St. Louis, July 5th., 1865. 

He enlisted as a private; soon he was detailed to assist 
in the provost marshal’s office. After serving here awhile, 
he was returned to ranks and made sergeant. Not long after 
this the orderly, or 1st sergeant was killed and he was ap¬ 
pointed to that position, which office he held till the regiment 
was dissolved and the remnants put into other companies 
From this time, he acted as company clerk. 

During his time of service he distributed many bible, 
testaments and tracts which were obtained from bible tract 
societies. 

He sometimes held prayer meetings with the soldiers and 
exhorted them to serve the Lord; talked privately to them 
about their eternal welfare. Sometimes taking one, walked 
out with him a way from camp and kneel down with him and 
prayed. Several of his company professed conversion. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


101 


Two little incidents of army life might be briefly stated 
just to show how hungry soldiers sometimes get to see their 
loved ones, and what chances they will take. 

While camped for a few days about 15 miles from where 
his sister Susannah was living, he got two or three days leave 
of absence and started on horseback alone with his soldier 
clothes on, which meant death, if the bushwhackers which 
were marauding the country, should meet him. At another time 
he with 3 others got 30 days leave of absence to go home. 
They knew that Quantral and Bill Anderson with their 
desperadoes were raiding the country. When riding thru 
places where they knew they were liable to be fired on from 
the road sides they held their revolvers in their hands, ready 
for any emergency, as they passed the most dangerous places. 
Many a poor fellow lost his life taking chances like these. 

After the war was over, he returned to the old home 
in N. W. Mo.; but things had changed; his father had died; 
his mother was living at Whitesville; his brother Wm. H. 
was living on the old farm. He had been thinking he would 
finish his education, when the war closed, but now he was 
tired, and longed for a home. He worked on the farm for 
a few weeks, taught a winter school and on March 8th, 1866 
he was married to Miss Sarah K. G. Elliott. A week later 
he took her home; having rented the old home place which 
his brother was arranging to leave. 

Possibly an hour or two after reaching the place, a man 
came from a church about 10 miles south; saying they had 
been holding prayer meetings for a few evenings, and had 
decided to go on with the meetings, and sent him to see 
if the writer could come and help them. 

Immediately the parable of the Savior came into his 
mind: “A certain rich man made a great supper and bade 
many; and they began with one consent to make excuses; 
among the rest one man said— I have married a wife, there¬ 
fore I cannot come”. 

His wife was willing for him to go, so he said in his 
heart “Mister devil, you can’t come that game on me; I’ll 
beat you this time”. 


102 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


During the meetings which followed, a goodly number 
professed faith in Christ and were baptised; his wife among 
the rest. They went home, set up the family altar. This 
was 55 yrs ago; the altar is still in the home. 

The first settlers in Mo. settled along the water courses, 
and in the timber. They knew how to make farms in the 
timber, but they did not know how to utilize the prairie 
lands. This threw them in groups, or settlements; often sev¬ 
eral miles apart. These groups all wanted preaching. There 
were but few preachers in the country; so they were taxed 
to the uttermost. 

The most of the people were poor; struggling for an exist¬ 
ence; trying to make homes. There were no salaries for 
preachers. They must earn their own living. They were 
poor too, but they were willing to endure the hardships of 
the frontier life, for Christs sake; that the people might 
have the gospel. One preacher usually looked after 4 of 
these colonies; giving each one two days each month; preach¬ 
ing Saturday afternoon and at night, and two services on 
Sunday. Often after preaching twice on Sunday, he would 
ride home, possibly at night; ten, twenty, or thirty miles. 
He had a big pair of leather saddle pockets swung over his 
saddle; each pocket would hold nearly half a bushel. In 
these he carried his bible, hymnbook, sometimes a little bread, 
meat etc. for emergencies. Sometimes a good brother or 
sister would give him some vegetables or fruits which he 
did not have at home, and these big pockets came in handy. 
Sometimes a sister would knit him a pair of socks or gloves. 
Sometimes a family would give him jeans enough to make a 
pair of pants. This was his salary. Sometimes these things 
were forgotten. 

In after years at a Baptist gathering an old preacher, 
giving his experiences in these early days, told of preaching 
to a church two years, and received for his services, a half 
pint of water melon seeds. As the church grew, and the 
people were in better circumstances; they began to pay their 
preachers some money; money was scare and valuable those 
days. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


103 


Two pastors often went together and held revival services 
with their churches during the winter season. Many of the 
churches in Mo. which are now strong, and supporting a 
pastor for all his time; were built up in this way. To illus¬ 
trate—the subject of this sketch began preaching in a little 
log schoolhouse in the woods. It was about 15 miles from 
a church in a village where he was pastor. For a few years 
the converts from the school house work, were received into 
the village churches. A new town was laid out about 2 miles 
from the school house; and it was decided to organize a 
church and begin work in the new town. He was chosen 
pastor, and remained with them 10 yrs. During that time 
a church was built. In a few years the house was enlarged. 
Now on the same ground, there stands a fine brick church 
house, well kept, and with beautiful surroundings. 

Some may be wondering how the preachers could give 
away so much of their time and raise their families. The 
answer can be briefly put— 1st, the Master had said, if 
they would put His kingdom of righteousness first, the other 
necessaries should be added. They believed this and realized 
it. People were not living on dainties then. Plain substan¬ 
tial home made food was what they needed, and they usually 
had plenty of that; so none of them starved. 

2d, Most preacher’s wives had the true pioneer spirit, 
and were in sympathy with their husbands work, and were 
willing to share the hardships; that the people might be 
saved; and the kingdom of their Lord advanced. They knew 
how to work in doors and out. The children grew up with the 
same spirit, and knew how to work. 

3d, and lastly, the preacher remained poor, while many of 
his brethren grew rich. 

The subject of this sketch was a busy man in those days; 
teaching school, farming and usually preaching to four congre¬ 
gations on the four Sundays of every month; and on the 5th 
at some point where there was no regular preaching. 

As a preacher he was plain, pointed and practical; 
having but little confidence in his own abilities, but all faith 
in the ower of God. His discourses usually closed with an 
earnest appeal to lost men and women to be saved NOW, and 


104 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


not leave the services unsaved. Sometimes in these appeals, 
he would break down and weep; and by them, many were con¬ 
strained to seek and to serve the Lord. 

After preaching for about 32 yrs in north-west Mo., 
where hundreds had been converted and baptised under his 
ministry his health failed while acting as missionary and 
collector for the N. W. Mo. Baptist Association. 

This position, he gave up, and after spending one year as 
pastor at Mound City, Mo. he moved to the pine hills of 
N. E. Wyo. and located a homestead. The valleys there are 
about 4,000 ft. elevation, while the hill and mountains tower 
majestically, hundreds and some of them thousands of feet 
higher. Less than 200 miles away there is perpetual snow. 
The effect of this pure, pine perfumed mountain air, was 
very beneficial, and his health was much improved. 

When he saw the religious destitution around him, his 
soul was stirred. He promised the Lord, if He would give 
him strength, he would try to honor His name among the 
people. The Lord’s day had lost its sanctity. Nearly every¬ 
body worked, or rounded up stock; just the same on that day, 
as any other. He soon had appointments to preach in every 
direction. Soon he was having calls from far and near, to 
marry the living, or to help bury the dead. He saw the 
great need of a house for public worship. He fixed seats 
under the shade trees and a speaker’s stand in his yard 
and sent invitations to the people to bring their dinners and 
come prepared to consider the propriety of building a house 
of public worship. They came with eagerness. As a result, 
there stands by the side of the main thoroughfare of the 
country at Alva, Wyo.; a neat and comfortable house; dedicat¬ 
ed to the service of God; a monument to the devotion of the 
people, and to the honor of Him who died that they might 
live. 

A Baptist church with 4 charter members was organized 
at that place. It grew in numbers and influence. Soon the 
church extended its influence and work to Hulett, 12 miles 
away, which resulted in the organization of another Baptist 
church, and the building of another neat house of worship. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


105 


The first persons baptised in Beaver Creek Wyo. were 
baptised by the author of this book, and it is probable that he 
baptised the first ever baptised in the Belle Fourche River. 

After more than 50 years strenuous work in the ministry; 
much of which was on the frontier he felt that, on account 
of the natural infirmities of old age, the time had come to 
give up that kind of work. This was one of the great trials 
of his life. After giving to preachers and others a large 
part of his books, and selling all his interests in Wyo., he 
and his devoted wife came to southern California, and located 
in Santa Ana and united with the First Baptist church at 
that place. 

He was not looking for rest, but for work. He soon 
found it in a mission S. S. which the church was managing in 
a village not far away. After working in this two years, he 
was elected teacher of the Senior men’s bible class in the 
First Baptist church in Santa Ana. He has served in this 
capacity 5 yrs. without being absent. 

One year ago, he offered his resignation as teacher, and 
the class refused to accept it. However he resigned a few 
weeks later, and now in his 83d year; having crossed his 
four score allotment, he stands on the border, looking back 
over the work. He attributes his successes if they should 
be called successes; as far as human part is concerned, was 
not to personal abilities so much as to his untiring energy 
and unabating zeal for the salvation of lost souls. But back 
of it all is the unseen, but not unfelt hand of a Friend who 
came to him that awful night, when his soul was sinking; 
and lifted him from the pit and placed him on the Rock, and 
said, “I am thy Redeemer, thy Savior—go ye into all the 
world and preach the gospel to every creature, and Lo; I am 
with thee always, even unto the end of the world”. If this 
Friend can say “Well done” it will be untold riches. 

During this period of activity, he occupied various posi¬ 
tions—such as missionary for district associations; missionary 
pastor; four times was moderator of N. W. Mo. assn.; but the 
most of the time was spent in serving churches as pastor. 

He always looked back with pleasure to two compliments 
paid him in his work. One was by a little boy 5 yrs old, 


106 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


who after hearing him preach was riding in a carriage 
with his mother. After being silent awhile he looked up and 
said, “Mama, I like to hear brother Wood preach, I can know 
what he is talking about”. This he regarded as the greatest 
compliment ever passed on his preaching. He had studied 
to avoid all slang phrases, and all words not in common use— 
to use language, chaste and simple, that the unlearned and 
the children might understand. The little boy made him 
feel, that to some extent he had succeeded. 

The other compliment is,— After living in a village 
several years, and preaching to the congregation monthly, he 
was arranging to move to another county where he could 
get his work more consolidated—agreeing to come once a 
month to his old congregation. When the citizens learned 
this, they circulated a subscription paper among those who 
were not church members and raised an amount equal to what 
the church was paying; and came and said “We want you 
to leave your family here and make your home with us, and 
give us one Sunday in the month”. 

After studying it over, he decided to do it; not that there 
was more money in it, but he thought that if the citizens had 
that much interest in him, he might do them good. At their 
meetings, they turned out like old church members. These 
were enjoyable meetings. He still looks back on them with 
pleasure. 

It has already been said that J. S. F. Wood married Sarah 
K. G. Elliott. This little sketch of married life will be 
written in a familiar way. 

She was born in Tennessee, Sept. 24th, 1846. When 
about 2 years old, she came with her parents to N. W. Mo. 
where she grew to womanhood. Like most pioneer women, 
she could work in the house, or on the farm. She liked out¬ 
side work, espcially among the stock. This was a great help 
to me in my ministerial work in many ways. She enjoyed 
being out on the farm, and would often go out with me for 
company. When little jobs that required two hands came 
up, she could make one of them. 

In this way, she kept in touch with the farm work, and 
in my absence could manage the help, and direct the work. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


107 






108 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


She was industrious, economical, a good cook and neat 
housekeeper. There are but few women who could get up 
a good meal as quickly as she. 

Men stopping with us for a few days, often got off jokes 
about her quick breakfasts. One man said when he heard 
her light out on the floor, he jumped for his clothes, listening 
for the breakfast call. Another man said as he was going 
up to bed, he met himself coming down to breakfast. 

She was outspoken—often surprising her best friends 
by saying things to them, that others might have whispered 
in the dark. She had many warm and true friends. She had 
qualifications which eminently fitted her for the wife of a 
poor preacher in the pioneer days. 

The first time we met, she was at the loom weaving, 
and I was there to speak for board while teaching school. 
She became one of my pupils. I liked her and thought if I 
ever wanted a wife, and she was single, I would talk to her 
about it. 

When the war closed, I was tired from the long strain of 
excitements. I wanted a home of my own, where I could 
stretch out and draw a long breath. I though of my old 
school girl. The day I asked her if she would be my wife, 
she was dressed in a neat linsey dress, woven and made at 
home. I think she had had a vision for she had a large bible 
on her lap, and when I asked her to be my wife, without say¬ 
ing a word, she opened the bible at the 1st chapter of Ruth, 
and pointed her finger to the 16th and 17th verses. It has 
been over 55 yrs. since that day. She has kept that promise 
up to date. 

In all places, at all time, and under all circumstances, 
she has been faithful and true. She never discouraged me in 
my ministerial work, but was always willing for me to go, 
though it made more work for her. She wanted me to honor 
the ministry, and do all the good I could. Our house has been 
the preacher’s home, and many of the saints of God have 
found shelter there. The fatherless, nor the hungry, have 
never been turned empty from our doors. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


109 


We have had many happy days together, but sometimes 
the clouds have lowered and cast their shadows over our path¬ 
way, and we have wept together. Many loved ones dear to 
our hearts have gone on to the great beyond, and left us 
weeping on the shores of time. 

If any victories have been won, we have fought the battle 
together; if any rewards are coming to us, we will share them 
together for we are partners. 

And now we are standing at the River’s brink, awaiting 
the beckoning of the Hand on the other Shore. Soon we will 
hear the Master calling, Come on; Come on; and other hands 
will finish this story. 

To this union, two children were born, Viz— William 
Jefferson and Jay Alden. 

WILLIAM J. WOOD 

William Jefferson, son of J. S. F. and Sarah K. G. Wood 
was born Aug. 17, 1870 on a farm in Nodaway Co., Mo. 2 1-2 
miles N. E. of Bolckow. 

In the fall of 1874, he with his parents moved to Bolckow, 
where his father was pastor of the Bolckow Baptist church, 
also teacher of the town school. Here he attended the town 
school for about 6 yrs. then went with his parents back to 
the farm, and worked on the farm and attended the district 
schools till the fall of 1887 when the family moved to Mary¬ 
ville, Mo.; that the boys might have the advantages of better 
schools. But W. J. was getting tired of schools and anxious 
to get to work, and before completing his studies, he was 
offered a position in a general store, and was very anxious to 
accept. 

It was the purpose of his father to have him graduate, 
but seeing that he was so restless and dissatisfied, he con¬ 
sented to his going into the store. 

He had taken a short commercial course; was a natural 
mathematician and had made good progress along that line. 
He disliked grammar, and in after years, told of burning his 
grammar one morning on his way to school. 


110 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


After working in the store, probably a year or more, he 
and another young man ran a restaurant in Shenandoah, la. 
for a while. 

He then hired to F. H. Rowley & Co., who at that time 
was doing an extensive business in live poultry; buying and 
shipping to eastern markets. W. J. taking 31 shipments 
through to N. Y. City. He was with Rowley & Co. about 2 
yrs. They were shipping from 150 to 175 cars of poultry 
annually. 

While working for this Co. he and two brothers by the 
name of Rogers who also were working for Rowley, decided to 
start a new poultry firm to be known as Roger Bros, and 
Wood, with headquarters at Lincoln Neb. This enterprise 
was not a success, and was soon abandoned, and the firm 
dissolved. 

After handling dressed poultry a few months, W. J. 
joined the rest of the family in Wyo. Here he homesteaded 
a beautiful piece of land, improved and cultivated it in con¬ 
nection with cattle raising, till April 1903, when he sold 
his land and cattle and bought an interest in a hardware store 
in Sundance Wyo. and moved to that place. 

In March 1905 he bought an interest in a hardware store 
in Hulett, Wyo. and started in business there. Later the 
store at Hulett and the store at Sundance formed a partner¬ 
ship with a general store at Sundance and did business under 
the name of the Bearlodge Mercantile Co. at Hulett, Sundance 
and Upton, Wyo. In 1907 this Co. dissolved, W. J. taking the 
Hulett store where he continued till 1920. 

During this time he was twice elected to the legislature 
on the Democratic ticket. The state and county were over¬ 
whelmingly Republican but he was elected by a safe majority. 
The first time, 1905, there were but three Democrats in the 
house. The second time, 1913, there were 27 Democrats in 
the house. At this session, he was elected speaker Pro. 
Tern, of the house. 

When Woodrow Wilson was elected the first time, W. J. 
was appointed register of the U. S. land office at Sundance, 
Wyo. In addition to the above place of trust and honor, he 
has served as Secy Treas. of the Bearlodge Gold Mining Co. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


111 


Pres. Crook Co. Mercantile Co. This Co. operated stores at 
Hulett and Moorcroft. Pres. Monitor Publishing Co. publish¬ 
ing papers at Sundance and Hulett. Was vice pres, and direc¬ 
tor of the Peoples Bank at Moorcroft. First Vice Pres, and 
director of Weowna Oil Co., Inc. offices at Moorcroft and 
Cheyenne. Sec. Treas. and director in the Arvada Coal Co. 
Arvada, Wyo. with main office at Moorcroft, Wyo. 

He holds membership in the Masonic and I. 0. 0. F. 
orders. 

At the present time he owns about 4,000 acres of land 
in Wyo. 

He is upright in business, and has occupied many places 
of trust. Took an active part in the public affairs, and during 
the World War, was actively engaged in the home depart¬ 
ments, such as government bonds, Red Cross, Y. M. C. A., 
Salvation Army, Etc. 

He is a liberal giver to all benevolent objects. 

When about 15 years old he professed faith in Christ, and 
was baptised by his father in the Platte river, uniting with 
the Platte Valley Baptist church. 

PERSONALITIES 

He is 6 ft. high, straight, large frame well rounded up, 
weighing 200 to 215 pounds physically strong and quick 
for one of his size; fair complexion, deep blue eyes hair 
nearly black, good conversationalist, easy pleasing manners, 
with a big hearty laugh which helps to keep the company in 
good spirits. He enjoys a good joke, and is. a good hand to 
get them off. 

Having been associated with business men almost con¬ 
tinuously since his 17th year, he is at home with business 
men; this gives him an influence in business circles. To say 
he is industrious, hardly expresses it—he seems to love work, 
and did from a child. He usually has all the business he 
can possibly look after. His wife says, “If he has not got 
it, he will take in more”. When on the farm, if he saw any¬ 
thing needed doing he went at it. If he did not know the best 
way, he would do some other way. If the machinery got out 
of fix, he went at it and tried to fix it. He was venturesome 


112 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


—willing to take chances, both in business and in danger, 
such as driving into swollen streams, traveling in snowstorms 
and blizzards, which was dangerous in Wyo. 

He has a big heart, ready to help those needing help 
in any and every way possible—willing to endure hardships, 
that others might be happy. 

On Feb. 7th, 1897 he was married at Sundance Wyo. to 
Miss Carrie M. Davis. She was born March 14, 1878 in 
Bitter Root Valley, Mont. 

She was educated at Sundance, Wyo. and the state 
normal at Spearfish, S. D., teaching in summer and attending 
school in winter. She was a woman of ability. When neces¬ 
sary, she could keep books for her husband’s store, or take 
her place at the counter, and wait on the people with grace 
and dignity. She would command respect anywhere. She 
was independent, and when in the higher circles of society, 
she was at home. Her manners were easy and graceful, and 
often fascinating. 

She accompanied her husband, at the state capitol each 
time while he served in the legislature. She with her hus¬ 
band spent seven weeks in southern Calif. Jan. and Feb., 1920 
visiting his parents. Their home has been a home for mother¬ 
less children, and a number of them have felt the warming 
influences of their love and care; and the uplifting influences 
thrown around them to make their lives better and happier. 
The Savior taught that helping his needy creatures, is 
helping Him. The rewards are His to give to those wTio de¬ 
serve them. 

To the above union one child was born—Bessie, born 
March 8, 1899, and died Jan. 23d, 1901. She was a bright 
beautiful child and developed rapidly, physically and mentally. 
She was the idol of her parents and grand parents, and the 
pet of the neighborhood. But like many others of these little 
angels she was early removed from this world of sin, suffer¬ 
ing and sorrow to the realm of eternal light peace and joy. 
God must have use for them to adorn the mansions of the 
blessed. They are rosebuds, plucked to open out in a better 
clime, our gems to decorate our homes in heaven. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


113 


JAY ALDEN WOOD 

Jay Alden, son of J. S. F. and Sarah K. G. Wood was 
born Nov. 1st, 1871 on a farm in Nodaway Co., Mo. 

When about 3 yrs. old his parents moved to Bolckow, Mo. 
where his father was teaching school and was also pastor 
of the Baptist church there. Jay attended the Bolckow 
school till he was 10 yrs old, when with his parents, he went 
back to the farm, where he helped with the farm work in 
summer and attended school in winter, till the fall of 1887, 
when in order to have better educational advantages, they 
moved to Maryville, Nodaway Co., Mo., where he attended 
high school, and also took a commercial course and a course 
in stenography, graduating, I think in the two latter branches. 

In Oct. 1892 his parents moved to the Black Hills country, 
and stopped for the winter at Spearfish, S. D. Some time 
during the winter Jay joined them, and in the spring of 1893, 
with his father, homesteaded lands in Crook Co., Wyo., west 
of the Bearlodge Mts. 

He improved his homestead and bought other lands and 
had what would have been called a fine western ranch. He 
worked hard and raised big crops, but farm products were so 
cheap, and the markets so far away that there was but little 
profit in it. 

On July 24th, 1898, he married Miss Lillie Engle, a 
beautiful, lovely girl, proficient in both instrumental and 
vocal music. 

Their married life together was short. On March 17, 
1899, at Lincoln, Neb., where they had gone for her health, 
she passed away from Earth to be with Him whom she loved 
to praise in songs. She was a lovely Christian character. 
Her remains were brought back and buried in the Beaver 
Creek cemetery at Alva, Wyo. 

After this he continued to farm and handle cattle. His 
mother kept house for him about 2 yrs. Sometimes his 
brother-in-law, who was a good cook was with him. Some¬ 
times he lived alone. He finally traded his lands for cattle 
and sold the cattle. He helped build and organize the Hulett 
State Bank, but sold his interests in the institution about the 
time the bank started. 


114 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


For a short time he was working in the office of the Inter 
Mountain Globe, the Hulett newspaper. While there he acted 
as notary public. Later he bought a saw mill and some tim¬ 
bered lands and converted the timber into lumber; this 
proved an unprofitable investment. 

On June 19th, 1907 he married Miss Morna Cook of 
Alva, Wyo. She proved to be a helpmate indeed and in truth 
She was a very worthy woman, of whom we will speak later. 

While engaged in the lumber business, Jay began to have 
dizzy spells, and would have to sit down till they passed off, 
and occasionally he would fall. After being treated by six or 
seven different doctors for as many different diseases ,none of 
which he had, he went to Omaha to a specialist and was oper¬ 
ated on for a growth in the nose; this caused him great 
suffering and did him no good. 

A doctor from Sundance Wyo. came to see him and locat¬ 
ed the trouble in the brain and advised him to go to a certain 
brain specialist at Omaha, which he did; accompanied by 
his brother W. J. 

A board of doctors located the trouble in the back part 
of the brain. This proved to be a cancer which had spread 
too far to be reached and eight days after the operation he 
passed away. His remains were brought home and buried in 
the Beaver Creek cemetery. 

When he was about 14 years old he professed faith in 
Christ and united with the First Baptist church of Maryville, 
Mo. 

He was kind and open hearted; always ready to help 
those in need; always willing to take the hard places and carry 
the heavy load. He was strong physically, and seemed to 
think the hardest place should be his. He would bear hard¬ 
ships, suffering and adversities cheerfully. He was a noble 
young man. He had a host of admirers, and many warm 
friends. 

He had a clear logical mind, and was a great reader. 
Often after a hard days work, he would read till ten or eleven 
o’clock at night. 

The following obituary notice appeared in the Inter 
Mountain Globe of Hulett, Wyo. written by Rev. H. H. Gun¬ 
derson, editor. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


115 


JAY IS DEAD 

'Three words; Just what they mean no man can tell. 
To some they mean one thing; to others, they mean other 
things. They came, however to the aged parents of Jay A. 
Wood, and to them, they mean sorrow and loneliness. Ever 
since the boys, Will and Jay, left for Omaha, the parents 
waited and watched for some message from them. One by 
one the messages came, and bore alternating hopes and fears. 
But finally the message as above came, and the waiting was 
over. The long and anxious moments were gone. The mes¬ 
sage closed the hope for physical recovery and opened the 
avenue for the lonely sorrow that comes to those who mourn 
for the departed. 

Everything that human mind could suggest for the aid 
of the suffering being was done. Two trips to Omaha and 
all the help that local physicians could give were invested, 
but to no avail. The body could not longer resist the en¬ 
croachments of disease, and gave up the rough fight. He 
died at the hospital at Omoha, Feb. 14, 1910. 

Jay A. Wood was born in Nodaway Co., Mo November 
1st, 1871. In that state he spent the first twenty years of 
his life; then he came with his parents to Crook County, Wyo. 
He spent the remaining years in this vicinity. On July 24th, 
1898 he married Lilly Alda Engle who died March 17th, 1899. 
On June 9th, 1907, he married Morna Cook, who, with two 
children, born to them, survive him. 

For nearly eighteen years, Jay has been a familiar figure 
in the life of Beaver Creek and the Hulett country. He took 
the hard knocks incident to frontier life, and bore well his 
part of the burdens that fall to the common lot of men. He 
was always cheerful. If he had sorrows, he carried them 
alone; if he had trials, he faced them bravely, and trouble 
laid light toll upon him, for no one knew his grief. But 
these are all over now, and he is relieved from the things that 
our language conceives. 

The community will pay its tribute to him and his mem¬ 
ory in its sincere devotion and sympathy shown the surviving 
ones. Rev. J. S. F. Wood, and his wife Sarah K. G. Wood 


116 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


are as the parents to the people here and they mourn not 
alone; for every one joins in their grief. 

Will, the only surviving brother, has scores of friends, 
who extend their condolence now. And the young w T ife and 
the babies will receive tender consideration and deep solicitude 
from the friends that they have made from being the wife 
and children of Jay Wood. No greater signs than these can 
be made, and no one can ask more. 

The funeral services will be held today at Alva, and the 
mortal remains will rest in the neighborhood, where the most 
of Jay’s active life was spent. His tomb will speak of him, 
to those who come after him, and knew him not in life; 
and the book closes to open no more until the final call in the 
great beyond.” 

AS WE SIT ALONE AND WAIT 

During the very anxious moments that Rev. and Mrs. 
Wood waiting for some message from the bedside of their 
son, Jay, the following sentiments were handed us, as being 
the best expression of the fear and loneliness that possessed 
them; written by Jay’s father; 

We are waiting for the message, whether life or death, 

Not knowing but our loved one is drawing his last breath, 
But 0; this anxious waiting; our hearts are sick with grief, 
But hoping that the message will bring us some relief; 

But always in the darkness, as well as in the light, 

We have this one assurance: the Father will do right. 

But 0; this anxious longing to know the Father’s will, 

And whether if His mercy will spare our loved one still. 

We are thinking of the Mary who stood before the cross 
And saw salvation purchased at such a fearful cost. 

She saw her loved one dying in agony and shame 
To give poor sinners pardon, by trusting in his name. 

But 0; this anxious waiting; each summons to the ’phone 
Fills us with emotion, as here we sit alone. 

After Jay’s death, his widow returned to her old occupa¬ 
tion, teaching. She was elected county superintendent of 
schools for Crook County, Wyo., and later to the state legisla- 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


117 


ture. After having served her term as representative in 
the legislature, she attended the state university at Larimie, 
and while at school there, she was employed as teacher and 
also as matron in the dormitory. In this way she paid her own 
way, and kept her two girls in school. Her victories at the 
polls each time were won, as a candidate on the Democratic 
ticket, when Crook County was overwhelmingly Republican. 

After the above statement, I feel that it would be super¬ 
fluous to speak of her abilities, or her moral standing in 
society. “Acts speak louder than words.” 

While serving in the legislature, she was a member of 
the engrossing committee, committe on rules and education 
where she served with honor. 

She graduated from the normal department of the 
university of Wyo. June 1916, and from the Department of 
education June, 1919 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 
She was assistant advisor of women at the university from 
1916 to 1919. In 1916 she won the history book, given as a 
prize to the best student in the history department. She 
was awarded also the Agnes Matilda Vergeland Scholarship; 
which is given to the student, who majoring in history, holds 
the highest rank in scholarship during the year. Her father 
and mother both were teachers. 

She was born July 16, 1883 at Independance, Iowa; in 
1885 came with her parents to South Dak.; in 1889 to Wyom¬ 
ing, and to Alva Wyo. in 1892. 

Before beginning to teach, she spent 3 yrs in high 
school at Independance la. She is a member of the Presby¬ 
terian church. 

To Jay A. and Morna A. Wood two daughters were born— 
Alma Karine and Mary Elizabeth. 

Alma Karine was born April 24, 1908. Mary Elizabeth 
was born Oct. 1st, 1909. Both are making fine progress in 
school. 

On Aug 9th, 1919, Morna A. Wood was married to David 
H. Anderson of Ismay Mont., where they are now living. 


118 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


CHAPTER XV. 

AUNT BECK 

The story of the WOOD families would not be complete, 
without a mention of Aunt Beck, the colored woman. 

I am not certain as to how and when, aunt Beck became 
attached to the family; but the impressions on my mind were 
doubtless made by hearing older members of the family talk, 
and are very likely correct; that she belonged to grand father 
Wood’s estate, and at his death, when the estate was being 
settled up, she was to be sold. She had been crippled in 
infancy by a fall from her mother’s arms and our father 
bought her through sympathy. She so far recovered from 
her injuries, that she suffered no pain from it, and could 
do as much work as the average woman; but was left a 
cripple for life. 

When Lincoln’s proclamation, freeing the slaves, took 
effect Jan. 1st, 1863; aunt Beck was told she was free, and 
was at liberty to go where she pleased; she said, “I’ll never 
leave old Mastah and Mistis. I’ll stay right here if you’ll let 
me.” After the death of our parents, she made her home 
with their children—mostly with sister Mary Dearing, William 
Henry and myself. 

As I look back over her life and recall her reverence for 
the family, her unfailing devotion, her untiring unselfish 
service, her abiding love and attachment; I feel that we owe 
her a debt of gratitude which can never be paid; and a tribute, 
which cannot be written with pen and ink, but which is writ¬ 
ten in the book of eternal rewards. 

We all loved aunt Beck, and tried to be kind to her; I 
think we were, and she appreciated it; but we treated her as 
an inferior and she accepted it as a matter of course. She 
ate of the same food that we did, and all that she wanted 
of it, but she never ate at the same table with the family, 
nor did she want to; she would have felt that she was dis¬ 
gracing the family. She went to the same church with us, 
but took a back seat. She was humble and poor m spirit. 
Jesus said “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven”. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


119 


She was loving and kind; never too tired to wait on 
others; she was in demand. The neighbor women, in times 
of sickness would send for aunt Beck, and she seemed to be 
glad that she could be useful. She was poor but happy in 
her poverty. Possibly there never was a time in her life 
that she could not have put all her earthly possessions, except 
her bed, in a common grain sack; yet she was satisfied. Her 
clothing was plain, but neat and clean. If she had been given 
a fine dress, she probably never would have worn it. She 
would have said “Such things don’t become a poor nigger”. 

We had been taught to regard the colored people as in¬ 
ferior, because of their color; their noble traits and Godly 
lives could not take away the stain. 

Since those days, I have grown in grace, and am standing 
on higher ground: I have a wider vision, and can see, as 
Peter did when he said, “Of a truth, I perceive that God is 
no respecter of persons; but in every nation, he that feareth 
Him, and worketh righteousness is acecpted with Him.” 

I can now see wrapped up in that dark form of aunt 
Beck, the spirit of the Master, in a larger degree, than in 
many who are held high in the world’s esteem. 

On the day of 1886 at the home of Rev. Wm. H. Wood, 
Maryville, Mo. aunt Beck passed peacefully away; trusting 
fully in her Redeemer, whom she had served for 30 yrs. She 
was about 67 yrs old at time of death; she had all the atten¬ 
tion that a good physician and kind hands could give. 

A few days before she died, she was looking out through 
the window, and saw a wagon going by with a coffin in it; 
she sighed deeply and looked sad. My wife was sitting by 
her and said “What is it Beck? what troubles you?” She 
replied, “I thought it might be wrong to tell you.” My wife 
said, “You may tell me anything”. “Well” she said, “I was 
wondering if I will be hauled off in a lumber wagon like 
that.” My wife asked her how she wanted to go; “I was 
thinking” she said; “I would like to have Mr. Anderson, with 
his hearse and black horses take me out”. “And that is just 
the way you shall go,” replied my wife. 

Her earthly remains were taken to the First Baptist 
church of Maryville, Mo. of which she was a member. The 


120 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. T. M. S. Kenney, 
to a mixed audience of white and black. 

Respected by all who knew her; she sleeps in the Oak 
Hill cemetery awaiting the call of Him whose voice shall raise 
the dead. 

As one of the family, I owe her more than I 


can ever pay. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


12 1 


CHAPTER XVI. 

EARLY RECOLLECTIONS 

My earliest recollections were cast in the Shenandoah 
Valley, Page Co., Va. I think the conditions prevailing in 
Va. at that time were substantially the same as in other 
southern states, with the exception, possibly, of the cotton 
belts, where slavery was more rigidly, and sometimes more 
cruelly enforced. I think most of the slave holders in Va. 
were kind to their slaves and treated them humanely. Many 
of the masters would not sell their slaves, unless forced to by 
financial circumstances. Often, when it became necessary to 
divide an estate, the slaves were divided among the heirs, 
the same as other property. However, some masters were 
cruel, and abused their slaves; selling them indiscriminately; 
separating husbands from wives, parents from children, and 
sometimes beating them cruelly; underfeeding and over work¬ 
ing them. 

In this chapter I will try to give you some idea of the way 
the people lived then; you can see how they live now. You 
may observe the contrast, and note the changes in the last 
75 years—or the span of one life time. Keep in mind, that 
nearly all the people were farmers then and that the farm 
produced, not only the living, but most of the clothing as 
well. Almost all (if not quite all) the farmers raised hemp 
and flax for summer clothing, towels, sheets, etc. To pre¬ 
pare for use, this must be spread on the ground till suffici¬ 
ently dry to break with a hemp-break to separate the fibre 
from the woody stems. The fibre was hackled and spun into 
thread; woven into cloth, then made into garments and other 
necessary things for family use. All this was done at home; 
all sewing was done by hand; there were no sewing machines. 

There was but little cotton raised in our part of Va. A 
few sheep were kept on the farm to produce wool for winter 
wear. The wool was carded by hand into rolls, spun on a 
big wheel into thread, woven on a loom into jeans for mens 
clothing, and into linsey, or flannel for women. 

Once a year each member of the family was supplied 


122 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


with a pair of shoes, made by a traveling shoemaker, from 
cowhides which the farmer had had tanned at the tannery. 
Many people who walked to church Sundays, would carry their 
shoes in their hands, till near the church, then put them on. 

Many men wore home-made straw hats for summer and 
coon skin caps for winter. No doubt there were exceptions 
to this rule, but it was a custom, many followed. 

FOOD 

The people generally had plenty of good plain healthful 
food of their own production, such as beef, pork, mutton, wild 
game and fish; all kinds of grain, vegetables, fruits, nuts and 
berries from the forest. 

Vast areas of mountain forests lay open for pasture. 
Chestnuts, acorns and other nuts were so plentiful that hogs 
could live without other feed. Sometimes they would stray 
away and run wild. These were called wild hogs, and would 
have to be shot or caught with dogs. 

In the fall when nuts were dropping, the hogs were often 
fat enough for meat, but the meat was better if fed grain 
a few weeks before killing. 

In our part of the country (I think it was extensive) 
there were many sugar maple trees, from which sugar and 
syrup were made—the best to be had. The sap from the 
trees was caught in vessels, and then boiled down into sugar 
and syrup. 

In some localities there were large maple groves, where 
people would camp and work day and night during sugar sea¬ 
son ; sorghum, at that time had not been introduced into that 
country. 

Fruits and vegetables were kept for winter use by stor¬ 
ing, only. The art of canning was unknown. A barrel for 
sauer kraut, placed on the north side of the house, would 
usually keep all winter. Beef was preserved by drying choice 
parts and pickling the balance. There was usually plenty of 
good pork, lard, sausage, head cheese, yankee pudding, 
scrapple, etc. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


123 


COOKING 

There were no cook-stoves. The cooking was done over 
the fire, except the baking, which was sometimes done in a 
big bake-oven in the yard. I think an averaged sized oven 
was about 3x6 ft and 3 feet high, arched over the top and 
with a door in one end probably 20 inches square. 

To bake in such an oven, light dry wood was used and a 
fire started inside; when it had reached the proper tempera¬ 
ture, everything was raked and swept out clean; the dough, 
pies, cakes, etc were put in; the door closed and nothing more 
to be done till time to take it out. 

The baking was done once a week in the oven, the daily 
cooking was done at the fire-place. An average fireplace 
was about 6 ft. long by 3 ft. deep. An iron rod built into 
the sidewalls, and reaching across from one to the other, 
about 3 ft. from the floor; was used to support pots, kettles, 
etc., while cooking; by means of small iron rods with a hook 
on either end; one hook over the rod, the other to hang the 
kettle on. 

The hearth was made of brick or stone, and extended 
two or three feet out in front of the fireplace. This was a 
handy place for baking in ovens and skillets and keeping 
victuals warm. 

In place of the rod across the fireplace, some preferred 
a crane which was hinged at one side of the fireplace in a way 
that the vessels could be swung in over the fire while cooking, 
and then out just enough to be kept warm. 

Fire places were built then, much as they are built today, 
except they were much larger, and sometimes, instead of 
being arched over with brick, a large rock, reaching from one 
sidewall to the other, sometimes 18 inches wide, 8 inches 
thick served for the arch. Above the stone or arch was the 
old fashioned mantle board, or shelf. Many of them were 
ornamented; sometimes hand carved. The mantle was the 
handy place for articles in daily use, such as tobacco, pipes, 


124 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


spectacles, snuff boxes and other things too numerous to 
mention. 

Among the cooking utensils used at these old fashioned 
fire places was the “Dutch” oven used for baking, usually 14 
to 18 inches in diameter, 5 to 6 inches deep with legs 2 to 
3 inches long and had a lid with edges turned up to keep the 
coals from falling off. Setting on the hearth, with coals on 
top and coals under the bottom, many delicious things were 
baked in it. And there was the frying pan, with a handle 
3 or 4 feet long; a coffee pot big and strong to set on the 
coals, or hang over the fire; a pair of long handled tongs to 
pick up the chuncks that rolled from the fire; or to pick up 
coals for lighting pipes; a big shovel with a long handle, for 
handling live coals, and for covering the fire at night with 
ashes. We had no matches then, so before going to bed, 
the chunks and coals were raked together and covered. If 
the fire went out and neighbors were near; some one was sent 
for fire. My father would sometimes get fire by putting 
powder into a shotgun and shooting into a bunch of flyings 
from flax or dry straw; sometimes with a piece of steel and 
a flint-rock, by knocking sparks into powder. 

Every fireplace had a pair of andirons. These stood on 
legs 3 or 4 inches long and were used for holding the wood 
in place above the ashes and coals; and allow a draft. Many 
of these are still in use among the rich. 

The families, in those days, were usually larger than 
now; not in stature, but in numbers; often reaching 12 child¬ 
ren ; sometimes more. 

I was personally acquainted with two families where 
there were 16 children. In one all were married, making 
32 and father and mother. In the other family, one had 
died, but 13 lived to be grown. The dining rooms were large; 
the father sat at the head of the table; the mother at the 
foot, near the kitchen door. A cord hung down where 
she could reach it, and summons a neatly dressed colored girl, 
by ringing a bell at the other end of the cord. ' 

The southern people have ever been noted for their hospi¬ 
tality at the table. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


125 


LIGHTS 

The most common of the artifical lights was the candle. 
There were two ways of making them; the best way was to 
mold them. For this purpose a cluster of 6 or 12 molds the 
size and shape of a candle was fastened solidly together, so 
that 6 or twelve candles could be molded at one time. Wicks 
were passed through each of these molds, and through a 
small round hole at the bottom where a knot was tied. The 
wick was held straight; the mold filled with tallow and 
allowed to cool and then the knots were cut off the bottom, 
the molds slightly warmed and the candles drawn out. The 
other was the dip candle; made by dipping the wick in warm 
tallow when the weather was cool; each time it was dipped, 
it increased in size; this continued till it was the proper size. 

Then we had lamps; one was made of iron by the smith. 
The wick for this was usually rags torn into strips and twist¬ 
ed into a cord. Grease, not fit for cooking was used instead 
of oil. Another lamp was made of glass, much the shape of 
our kerosene lamps in which fish oil was used, and wicks 

MILLING 

Small grist mills, for grinding the farmer’s grain, were 
built along the water courses, from which they obtained their 
power. The grain was usually carried to mill on horseback, 
and often by a small boy. The miller would take “Toll”, or 
a part of the grain from each grist, as pay for’his charges. 
Wheat, corn, buckwheat and rye were ground, the latter was 
used mostly for feed, but sometimes for bread. 

The grain was marketed mostly in the form of flour, 
which was put into barrels and hauled on wagons or shipped 
on flatboats down the river to market. 

HARVESTING 

From time immemorable the sickle had been the instru¬ 
ment for cutting grain. At the time of which I am writing 
(My early recollections) this venerable instrument was being 
superseded by the grain cradle. The cradle was short lived, 
for the day of invention had come. The flail for threshing 


126 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


was still in use but it too was doomed, its end was near. A 
good cradler could lay a swath across a field with scarcely a 
break in it, and could cut 3 to 4 acres per day: for that he 
received $1.00. If the one binding the grain could take up 
the swath as fast as cut, he too received $1.00 per day: other¬ 
wise, he received 75c the day for binding, and 25c was paid to 
another for bunching it for him. A days work at that time 
was not measured by 6 to 10 hrs of time, but from daylight to 
dark. 

The grain was stored in the barn to be flailed out in the 
winter. 


HARDWARE 

About all the hardware was. made by hand. Chairs, 
nails, horse shoes, all farming implements, builder’s hardware, 
such as nails, hinges, latches, etc. Nearly every farmer 
had a lacksmith shop, and did most of his own work. A many 
a night, have I worked the bellows in my father’s shop, while 
he mended or sharpened the farm tools. 

Wagons were all made by hand. 

BUILDINGS 

Many of the buildings in the early days were made of 
logs, and some very respectable ones at that. There were 
hewers of wood as in Solomon’s day; 1st Kings 5, 15. They 
could hew to the line, and almost as smooth as if dressed with 
a plane. 

When frame houses were built, the framing timbers 
were hewn out by hand, and put together with wooden pins. 
The shingles were all split out with a trow and shaved with 
a drawing knife. 

Many farmers, especially the Germans, often built very 
cheap houses to live in, and big barns for saving their hay 
and grain. They said a good barn would soon save enough to 
build a house. Barns were built with large mows for storing 
the grain which must be flailed out during the winter. After 
threshing machines became common, the farmers raised more 
grain and stacked it in the field, or threshed it from the shock. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


127 


AMUSEMENTS 

Many kinds of work were made palatable, by seasoning 
with a little social mirth. We all know how hard we can work 
at play and still enjoy it. In the early days of which I am 
writing, most people worked from daylight till dark, and 
often till bedtime. The women knit and sewed by candle 
light, and the men at the shop, sharpening and mending tools, 
for there were many rocks in the fields to dull them. Some¬ 
times the old man would be mending the family’s shoes, or 
shelling corn for the mill. They did not have so much time 
for sport as the young people have now. 

With the fall seasons, came the corn huskings, the apple 
butter and pumpkin butter boilings, the quilting bees, carpet 
tacking, log rollings barn raisings, brush burnings, etc. All 
these were made social gatherings and enjoyable occasions; 
the most noted were the corn huskings and the butter boil¬ 
ings. 

♦ 

THE HUSKING BEE 

In the fall season the corn was gathered and thrown in 
long ricks, then when the moon was right, invitations were 
sent in every direction, to every body, white and black, to 
come to the corn husking, at a certain place, on a certain 
night. When the crowd had gathered, two captains were 
chosen, and after dividing the pile, the captains chose their 
men as they do at a spelling bee, then the work began and 
songs were started. The darkies, the most melodious of all 
singers, would usually lead in the singing. One would make 
up a song as he went along, probably telling of some big coon 
hunt with a pack of dogs; all the dogs are named; say the 
first was Tige; he would tell what Tige did, and then say 
“Long time ago”; that would be the signal .for all to yell, and 
so on with each dog till he came to the last one; the last was 
Bull. “Bull came in and killed the coon, Long time ago”, 
then they would yell and yell for Bull. The next song might 
be a joke on old Massa, and the yell would be for old massa. 
Joy must be unconfined, so the whiskey bottle was uncorked 
occasionally to clear their voices and stimulate the workers. 


128 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


The first side to finish up to the dividing line, would 
raise the yell, and probably two strong men would pick up 
their captain and start around the other party’s corn pile; this 
would result in a general scuffle. Refreshments were then 
served, and sometimes the darkies with banjos, rattle bones, 
negro songs, etc. would amuse the crowd. The best of it was, 
the jolly husking bee had accomplished in one evening, that 
which would have taken the farmer several weeks of hard 
work to do. 

APPLE BUTTER BOILING 

This was the young folks job; just enough old folks 
around to do the bossing. When the big brass kettle was 
filled with apples, peeled and cored, it was swung over the 
fire; the contents must be stirred all the time; for this pur¬ 
pose an implement was used with a handle about ten feet 
long. One person could handle the machine, but the young 
people thought two were better, so a young man chose his 
partner; he stood on one side of the handle and the lady on 
the other. There was always another couple ready and will¬ 
ing to relieve them; those not stirring could amuse themselves 
with innocent games. Dancing was not looked upon with 

favor by the best class of society. I am sure such dances as 

» 

are common today, would not have been tolerated then; at 
least not in that community. 

. Quilting bees and carpet tackings, with their good 
dinners and loving fellowships, were social gatherings for the 
women, both pleasant and profitable. 

Barn raisings and log rollings were for the men, but 
women usually came to help cook and add pleasure to the 
occasion. 

The beautiful valleys of Page county, in an early day 
were covered with, forests, but the people needed more land 
for cultivation, so this fine timber, which took centuries to 
produce, was cut down and burned. 

In this way, work and pleasure combined; made pleasant, 
what otherwise would have been drudgery. 

Many of the games of those days were much the same 
as today, only they are more scientific now. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


129 


MORALITY 

I believe the people had a much higher sense of virtue 
and morality then, than they have now; of course I speak 
in a general way. I think there are people just as true and 
just as good now, as at any time; but many of the evils of 
today were not tolerated then. Divorce cases were almost 
unheard of. If a man and his wife parted, they were con¬ 
sidered unworthy of good society; they were disgraced. 

EDUCATION 

I ever look back to my early school days with sorrow and 
regret, to think that children had to grow up under such 
educational, disadvantages. The old pioneer thought more 
about making a living, than of educating his children. There 
were no public schools. -The custom was for some man to 
draw up an agreement to teach a three months school at a 
specified price per pupil; if a sufficient number enrolled, he 
would teach the school. There was no one authorized to 
examine him as to his qualifications. If he could read and 
write, add, subtract, divide and multiply numbers, make a 
goose-quill pen and keep order in the school room he generally 
succeeded. 

The school was not classified; each pupil recited alone. 
The teacher sat in a chair beside a small table and called 
each one to him; the pupil stood beside the teacher and 
recited. If he came to a word he could not pronounce, the 
teacher pronounced it for him, if he could. I soon learned 
to stammer 1 over them and go on. 

I remember in later years of hearing an old preacher 
telling his early school experiences. He said one of his 
teachers, when asked to pronounce one of these big words 
would say “Skipit and go on’” so the children decided that 
all these big unpronouncable words were SKIPITS. 

The only class was the spelling class. Those far enough 
advanced stood up in line the last thing before dinner and 
at evening before they were dismissed. A good switch was 
one of the essentials, and it was kept in sight. 

The school house was a cheap affair, made of logs; a 
fireplace at one end, a door at the other, a long window on 


130 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


each side, with a broad board under the window for a writ¬ 
ing desk. There was no system of books; they were scarce. 
If one had a book with reading in it, he could use it; some 
used the New Testament. The first book that came into 
general use was the McGuffey’s speller. In it the spelling 
was arranged somewhat systematically, with a short reading 
lesson in connection with each spelling lesson. This was a 
great help, and soon became very popular; later the McGuffey 
readers came and soon other school books. This was the 
dawning of better schools. McGuffey was president of the 
Ohio university from 1839 to 1845. 

When we came to Mo. in 1848, we found the schools run 
on about the same plan as in Va. but with, I think, a better 
grade of teachers. 

RELIGION 

In the valley in which we lived, the Baptist were the 
leading denomination among the Protestants; there were 
some Dunkards and some Quakers (friends). About that 
time the Methodists commenced work there, if I remember 
correctly. There were no prayer meetings and no Sunday 
schools. The conversion of children was not encouraged. 
Most of the preaching was doctrinal and not understood by 
the children, so very few of them went to church. 

The preachers were not paid any specified salaries, but 
usually accepted what was offered them, though, I think 
some refused to take anything. The church houses were 
plain structures with one room blow and a gallery above; 
the gallery was for the darkies, but sometimes others went 
there; mostly the very poor, who thought their clothing 
was not good enough for the lower room, although most 
of the people dressed plainly. 

What I have written in this chapter so far relates mostly 
to people in ordinary circumstances; owning lands, or 
engaged in other branches of business. But there was anoth¬ 
er class; the very poor people. 

Many of them had spent all they had to get to this coun¬ 
try ; they could not buy and improve lands, and on account of 
slave labor, there was but little demand for white labor. 
Thus they were kept in extreme poverty. Many of them 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


131 


were good, honest industrious people. Some of them would 
go up into the mountains; clear a piece of ground, and living 
on vegetables, wild meat, fish, fruits, nuts and berries, they 
would raise their children without schools or churches and 
almost without books; some did not have even a bible. But 
they had one of Earth’s greatest blessings—good health. 
They were spoken of as the hardy mountaineers. 

Later on God’s missionaries sought them out and sup¬ 
plied them with bibles and other books, and helped them in 
many other ways. 

SUMMARY OF EARLY RECOLLECTIONS 

It is inspiring to note the great strides of the human race 
in science and art in the span of one short life. 

Since my early boyhood days, I have witnessed the up¬ 
ward march from the venerable reap-hook and the flail, to 
the present day great harvesters drawn by mighty engines 
through the great grainfields of the middle and western 
states—cutting, threshing, cleaning and sacking the grain 
as they go. The old and slow way of freighting with horses, 
mules an dacttle, has been displaced, by mighty locomotives; 
drawing their great trains of freight cars that shake the 
earth, and rattle the glass in our windows. 

The sailboats have given place to the magnificent steam 
ships on the bosom of the deep; loaded with many tons for 
many nations. 

Nor has improvement, in the mode of travel lagged. In¬ 
stead of going horse-back, by stage, or perchance with oxen, 
we may now take the lightning express, the automobile or .the 
motorcycle, or if these are too slow, we may fly through the 
air. 

The old way of making clothing with hand cards, spin¬ 
ning wheels, and hand sewing is gone. All now is done by 
machinery; the garments are laid out before us; our part 
is to pay for them, and to put them on. 

Cooking is no longer a face-scorching ordeal over the 
old fireplace; just turn on the gas and strike a match, or push 
the button and use the magnificent electric range. 

In the old days, we had the tallow candle; now the elec- 


132 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


trie light. Then, we would wash and wring out our clothes 
by hand; now, we let electric washers do it. Then it took 
many days to get a message from Europe; now we read the 
morning news in Europe, in our evening paper. Then we 
went to our neighbor’s home to talk with him; now we may 
sit at home and visit by phone, tho he may be miles away. 

Then, to hear a sermon or concert, we must be present 
in the room in which it was given; now, we may sit at home, 
or in an audience in the west and enjoy a sermon or concert, 
wafted out through space by radio from the east. 

In a few years from now, men may look into each 
others faces as they talk over the phone, though many miles 
apart. Why not ? 

The school house where the writer first went to school 
would not serve as a decent henroost now. Think of a 
young man 21 yrs. of age, without money, and without an 
education, trying to keep abreast, and remain in step with this 
MIGHTY MARCH OF HUMAN PROGRESS. 

There is just where the writer stood 60 years ago. 

Let me impress upon those who are young; if the World 

moves forwards at the same pace, for 75 years more your eyes 

% 

will behold many new and wonderful things. Already, nature 
in many places has been so changed by human hands, that 
it does not look like the same country. But a few things 
remain the same. The mountains and the ocean are still 
here. The sun and the moon and the stars still give their 
light. 

In Paul’s day he said “Now abideth faith, hope, love”. 
After nearly 2,000 years have passed, we can truthfully repeat 
those words. The great principles of righteousness, truth, 
justice, love and mercy, which have been taught and practiced 
by God’s people in all ages are with us still. 

The God of the Universe still lives “Upholding all things 
through the word of His power” and giving eternal life to 
all who receive Him as their Savior. 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


133 


CHAPTER XVII. 

TRIBUTES OF FRIENDS 

W. W. Wood, my nephew, who has known me intimately 
from his earliest recollections; a successful business man, 
whose history is written in this book, and who has held offices 
of trust and honor, says.— 

“To the descendants of the subjects of this history in 
general and to my children and their descendants in partic¬ 
ular, this tribute is dedicated. 

By the kindness of the author, I am permitted to ex¬ 
press herein a profound wish of my heart, and to give voice 
to some of the thoughts that come to me, as I look down the 
vista of time, and contemplate the future generations of this 
family. 

Many will probably read this book long after the author 
and the writer have passed on; and here I wish to tell you 
something of him, which he, through modesty, will not say 
for himself, and what justly should be said of him, and what 
I think you should know. 

For more than a half century, it has been my privilege 
to intimately know him; to know of his devoted service to 
the Master, to his country and to his fellow man. I have 
known no one, more faithful in service, more earnest in 
endeavor and more loved by his fellows than he. His life 
has been a benediction to all who have known him. His influ¬ 
ence will radiate to the end of time. 

You may take a just pride in the knowledge that our 
ancestry fought in the revolution to establish our government, 
and that they have fought in the successive wars to preserve 
it. They have been honorable, industrious men and loyal 
citizens. 

The years and generations swiftly pass. Soon it will 
rest with those who are now young, and those still unborn, 
to carry forward the banner of our family. To you we give 
its keeping. May its folds ever be found in the ranks of the 
loyal and the right.” 

This is a free will tribute, which is given space here by 
request of the writer, and unsolicited by the author. 

The following was not written for this book. 


134 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


From our son, who is now 52 years old. He has known 
us intimately since he was old enough to know anything. 
Writing from Moorcroft, Wyo. he says— “Dear parents, my 
delay in writing is because of other duties. It seems almost 
useless to say to you; is not because I do not love you and 
respect you. You know I do. There are but few who have 
been so fortunate as to have parents as highly honored as 
mine. This statement does not rest exclusively on my 
judgment; but by the esteem in which you are held by 
practically all who have known you for any length of time. 
Every place where you have lived, ‘Uncle Jake and aunt Sallie’ 
“(our familiar names) have had man friends and no enemies.” 

In our guest book he says: “Whatever success in life I 
have, or may achieve, I owe to the Christian life, as daily 
lived by my parents”. 

Your loving son, 

W. J. WOOD 

His biography is recorded in another place in this book. 

CHARLES HYSLOP OF MARYVILLE MO. 

A Godly Scotchman, a veteran of the Civil war, a former 
representative from his county in the state legislature, a 
leading character in the N. W. Mo. Baptist Association,. and 
every good work that makes for the uplifting of humanity— 
His letter is given below, almost verbatim. 

The first paragraph has reference to a letter I had 
written on hearing of the death of his beloved wife. The 
remainder has reference to our long and intimate fellowship 
in the Master’s work. 

Writing from Maryville Mo., June 16, 1921. 

He says: 

Rev. J. S. F. Wood, Santa Ana Calif. 

My Dear Brother and Comrade— 

Your loving heart throbs of sympathy, proves a silver 
lining to the shadows of the Silent Messenger that has taken 
my loved one. 

I am thinking of the past, realizing that the shadows are 
much longer grown than when we parted in 1892, when be¬ 
cause of failing health, it seemed wisdom on your part to 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


135 


the wooings of the great North West where visions of health 
and boundless opportunities beckoned you; when not only 
I, but the whole North West Dist. Baptist Association grieved 
that such a move had become necessary. 

I first knew you as pastor of the Baptist church at 
Bolckow, Mo., in 1874. The next year the Dist Assn met 
with your church at Bolckow and I was a delegate from the 
Maryville, Mo. church. I had recently come from Ill. and 
was a stranger among the Mo. people. 

When the Bolckow pastor delivered the hearty address 
of welcome, which made even the stranger feel at home; my 
memory was indelibly impressed with the fact that I had 
come in touch with an unassuming and spirit filled minister 
and comrade, who was justly entitled to wear the bronze 
button of 61 to 65; but of all else, the 17 years of Christian- 
fellowship of a wise councilor and guide has ever meant more 
to me than I can now express. And as memory serves me 
now, at the next associational gathering, after your departure, 
the 27 churches with approximately 2,000 members of the 
Northwest Association, joined in a most reverend and hearty 
“God speed” for you in your new field of activities. 

And in all the 27 years that have intervened, no session 
of that body has convened without cherishing your memory. 

And do you know Bro. Wood that you are the only liv¬ 
ing one of the ordained ministers of the association in the 
days of which I am speaking. 

I. R. M. Beason, John H. Best, A. L. Cooper, Wm. Gra¬ 
ham, Ambrose Hunt, J. W. Malotte, W. G. Randall, R. M. 
Rhoads, Mathias Smock, Wm. H. Wood and others of sainted 
memory whom we might recall. And lastly but not the least 
it has been such a pleasure and inspiration to me to read 
between the lines, your fulfillment of 2d Timothy 2d chapter, 
15th verse. It should be a blessed memory to you as it has 
been to those who knew you here. 

May I in behalf of the Old Guard Remnant, sincerely and 
lovingly wish sister Wood and yourself at least a one- 
hundredth birthday anniversary. 

Your brother and comrade, 

Charles Hyslop. 


136 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


JUDGE F. M. WELLS 

Judge F. M. Wells, of Bolckow, Mo., was one of the 
stalwart characters of N. W. Mo. in the pioneer days of that 
country. 

Ever wide awake to the best interests of his country; 
not afraid to stand for the right. At one time he was 
county judge of Andrew county, Mo. 

His Godly life and moral worth, , added much to the 
growth of Christianity in those parts. 

I believe he could come nearer writing a correct biogra¬ 
phy of my life and work, than any man now living except 
myself; so what he has written in this letter, may be of 
interest to those interested in the history of the Wood 
Families. He says— 

“Our acquaintance began about 65 years ago, while we 
both were members of the old Union Grove Baptist church 
about 7 miles N. E. of Savannah, Mo. This was one of the first 
if not the first church in that part of the country. This 
tie of fellowship has never been broken. Like David and 
Jonathan, our hearts are knit together in love.” 

He says these associations have been pleasant and pro¬ 
fitable to him; so have they been to me. 

Speaking of his return to Andrew county, after having 
spent a few years in Putnam county, he says: “During my 
absence, Brother Wood had been ordained to preach the gospel 
ministry. In the new town of Bolckow a new church was 
organized and Bro. Wood was its pastor. There were 14 
hcarter members, of which but 4 are living now; these are 
J. S. F. Wood and wife, and Thomas F. Neely and wife. 
Bro. Wood served the church continuously for 10 years, giving 
the church one fourth of his time; the other three fourths 
being spent at other points. 

The churches were weak then, numerically and financial¬ 
ly; the average salary being about $100 annually at each 
point. With this small salary, Bro. Wood labored just as 
faithfully as if he were receiving $1,000.00. During these 
10 years of faithful service, under the biassing of God, many 
of the most influential citizens were brought into the church. 
These faithful men and women, in harmony with the pastor, 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


137 


were permitted to see continual tokens of the Divine Master; 
God giving the increase. While this work was going on, Bro. 
Wood built up two other churches in adjoining neighborhoods; 
in fact it seemed to be his mission in life to build up churches 
and stay with them, till they became self supporting. 

Possibly there is not a church in the N. W. Mo. associa¬ 
tion but what has felt the uplifting influences of his ministry. 
Salary or no salary, he worked on; no doubt he realized the 
blessings of the scriptures which says, ‘It is more blessed to 
give than to receive.’ 

Possibly no minister in N. W. Mo. has done more for 
Christianity than he. 

In all this work for 55 years his faithful wife, Aunt Sallie, 
has been no small factor, but in the S. S. and church work, 
and judicially looking after the affairs at home, he was 
enabled to devote more time to the ministry.” 

F. M. WELLS. 

June 20, 1921. 

I want to add to the above, that during my ministry at 
Bolckow, a plain substantial church house was built, and later 
was enlarged; and since I left there, that house has been 
removed and now a modern brick building stands on the old 
site, with on window dedicated to J. S. F. Wood. 

The INTER-MOUNTAIN GLOBE, published at Hulett, 
Wyo. by H. H. Gunderson, editor and preacher, in an editorial 
paid a beautiful tribute to the writer in telling of his life 
work and service to the Master. In closing he said: “Let 
us not reserve our flowers for his grave, but in the shimmer 
of his descending sun, strew the pathway along which he 
walks with roses of live perfume, beauty and grace. Why 
not acknowledge the good deeds of the living?” 

The following appeared also in the same paper at Hulett, 
Wyo. after the funeral services of J. A. Wood, under the 
heading, J. S. F. WOOD AN APPRECIATION: 

There are times when the common events of life are but 
as the background for exposing some great and noble char¬ 
acter. Just after the funeral services held in memory of 
Jay Wood last Thursday, a man said to the writer: “How like 
an old rock he stands”. These words were spoken in appre- 


138 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


ciation of Rev. J. S. F. Wood, the aged father of the deceased. 

The words speak a volume of tribute to a worthy man; 
and somehow they have been ringing through my head ever 
since. Viewed from any standpoint, they lose none of their 
force. Hither and yonder they send us out in search of 
verification. And the expression meets approval wherever 
it goes. No use trying to amplify it, but comment is per- 
missable. For decades now, Rev. Wood has stood by others 
in sorrow like his own and poured out of his own heart its 
fullness of sincere condolence, and pointed the sad ones to the 
Only One who could bear the real burdens of life, and so* 
consecrate them as to make them a blessing. Then to him 
came the time to stand where others have stood. He did 
not forget the words that he had spoken to others, nor the 
prayers he had uttered for them; nor did he forget that his 
opportunity had come to show forth how to suffer in faith, 
and how sublime a thing it is to trust in the Providence of 
an all-wise God. 

“How like an old rock he stands” is but another expres¬ 
sion of appreciation of how softly, and how easily, a Christian 
passes through the tremendous things of life. How in con¬ 
trast with the man who has nothing on which to hold beyond 
the pale of the tears that flow. Even sorrow has its appoint¬ 
ed place in this world, and tears their lawful measure; and 
here stands a man who is anxious to proclaim this truth to 
his loved ones, his friends and his neighbors. His patient 
lips moved in their eagerness to speak, yet there was no 
sound. The muteness of the secene touched men’s hearts and 
spoke more eloquently than words could speak. These is no 
rebellion here, there is no refusal to be comforted, there is 
no throwing away what is left; but the “fragments that re¬ 
main” are gathered up with humble, tender and obedient 
acceptance as both good and evil from the Lord’s dear hand. 
The supreme test of faith has come, and the victory is won. 

There are people in this restless world, who from the 
depths of their hearts can say: “The will of the Lord be done, 
His name is blessed, His work is perfect.” To them there is 
no loss. The drafts protested in the earthly banks of joy 
are accepted in heaven; and there is no fear, for back of all 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


139 


mortal commotions stands ever the Lord. At all times, in all 
places, such people have all things and about plentiful. They 
have eaten the living bread and are not hungry; they have 
drunk of the water of life, and do not thirst. And these are 
they who are always ready to do the Lord’s will; desiring only 
to have it accomplished in them, and by them and for them, as 
He shall please. And one of these is Rev. J. S. F. Wood. 

“How like an old rock he stands.” 

“I am sad on the highway of life today, 

With my heart so broken and sore; 

And the fanciful dreams of a gladder way 
Do not stir my soul as of yore. 

Ah! those dreams of my youth were but rainbowy things, 
Glittering awhile in the sun; 

They are gone from me now on the swiftest of wings— 
Gone! and my life but begun. 

I am lad on the highway of life today, 

Though my heart is broken and sore; 

For the visions of One have supplanted my dreams 
And are thrilling my soul evermore. 

Oh! these visions of Him are so graciously true, 

Lifting my heart to its best; 

They sustain me all day and watch the night through— 
Their Giver, my heart’s Holy Guest.” 

H. H. Gunderson. 

After glancing over the loving tributes, I kneeled down 
and said— “Lord is it possible, such things can be truly said 
of one so unworthy? and if Thou canst say ‘Well done’ it will 
be inexpressible riches for me”. 


140 


THE WOOD FAMILY 


APPENDIX 

It has been the purpose of the writer to interweave with 
the biographical sketches certain moral characteristics, which 
he thought might be helpful to the reader. 

No one can be more conscious of the imperfections of the 
book than the author—but he has done the best he could 
with the information which he was able to gather. He had 
been separated from some of the parties for many years and 
knew but little of their history, and they were too modest to 
tell of their successes in life, financially, morally, or religious¬ 
ly. . Some would say they had one nothing in life, worthy to 
appear in a book. No doubt if the writer had been intimately 
associated with them through life, he would have seen many 
good traits and many worthy deeds which he would be glad 
to have appear in the book. This book is presented with the 
hope that it may serve to make the different branches of the 
family better acquainted, and to help up keep in view the 
GRAND FAMILY REUNION in the realms of ETERNAL 
DAY. 

Now may the blessings of our Heavenly Father be upon 
you all now and ever more— AMEN. 

Yours very truly, 

J. S. F. WOOD. 

I herein express my sincere gratitude to those who have 
assisted in gathering the material, or in the arrangement of 
the book. If it proves helpful to its readers, a large part 
of the credit is theirs. 


INDEX 


Page 

Chapter I. Things in general . 5 

Chapter II. Shenandoah Valley . 7 

Chapter III. Nehemiah Wood and his sons . 9 

Chapter IV. Benjamin Wood and his sons . 10 

Chapter V. Biography of William Fallis Wood . 12 

Chapter VI. Our mother and her people . 16 

Chapter VII. Sarah Ann Wood Carey and family . 20 

Chapter VIII. Mary Elizabeth Wood and family . 25 

Chapter IX. Benjamin Henry Wood and family . 34 

Chapter X. Nancy Susannah Wood Bear and family . 53 

Chapter XI. Barbara Frances Wood Bowman and family.... 67 

Chapter XII. William Henry Wood and family . 78 

Chapter XIII. Elizabeth Ann Wood Dearing and family. 91 

Chapter XIV. Jacob Samuel Fallis Wood and family . 9 8 

Chapter XV. Rebecca Tiznins (Aunt Beck colored) .118 

Chapter XVI. Early recollections .121 

Chapter XVII. Tributes to the author .133 

Chapter XVIII. Appendix .140 























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